Dorothy Ulness, age 100, of Valders, was released from this world on February 1, 2021 at the Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center, where she had been a resident for the past year. Her family and friends had constantly surrounded her as best they could in these times of COVID.
Dorothy was born on October 11, 1920 in Manitowoc County of Fred and Martha Bender and only spoke German until the age of six when she began attending a one room school house. She graduated from Howard’s Grove High School, Sheboygan County Normal School and taught in a one-room school near Cedar Grove. On June 21, 1941 she married Orin Ulness and joined him in operating the Ulness dairy farm. He preceded her in death in March, 1991, just shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. During WWII she taught at Sunny Crest School in the town of Liberty due to a shortage of teachers, but was happy to return to her true love, her family and the family farm. Dorothy was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, having held many positions there. She was a faithful member of the church choir for over 60 years and music was a big part of her life. She was an inspirational cook, was active in Homemakers, school activities and in supporting her children and grandchildren. She was a wise wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and engaged regularly with them in numerous activities. Dorothy was a wealth of history up until the end of her life and a pillar of strength to her large family. She never lost her sense of purpose and was influential in the lives of many. Forty eight family members gathered on October 11th to celebrate her 100th birthday, using iPhones and separated by a large picture window at the Rehabilitation Center where she greeted them all.
Survivors include: two daughters, Marian (Dan) Gilbert, Deephaven, MN, Karen Bosshart, Chaska, MN. Daughter-in-law Ava Ulness, two sons, Loren (Carol) Ulness and Brian (Gemma) Ulness, all of Valders. Two sisters, Ione Kueter, Manitowoc and Arlene Johannes, Minneapolis, MN. 15 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Orin, and son, Walton, son-in-law Bruce Bosshart, sisters and brothers-in-law, Luaine Quast, Janice and Richard Homberger, Armond Kueter and James Johannes.
The family will greet relatives and friends at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders on February 13, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Funeral services will be held in honor of her life at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders on February 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Masks are required. Officiating at the service will be Rev. Jim Wilson with burial to follow at Our Saviors Cemetery, Valders.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.lendmanfh.com
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church or to Camp Sinawa.
The Lendman Funeral Home & Gathering Center, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
