Barbara Dahlinger

Bobbie Dahlinger was born to Ernest and Elizabeth Perkl near Pittsville, WI, on July 19, 1925, the ninth child of twelve children in her family. She grew up working on the family dairy farm, attending school in Pittsville. After graduating from the 8th grade, she went to work at the local bakery in Pittsville. Soon thereafter she relocated to Milwaukee following the path of sisters to find better, more substantial employment.

In Milwaukee she met Fred Dahlinger at one of her places of employment. She and Fred were married on December 11, 1950, and enjoyed a marriage of over 46 years. A few years after marrying, she and Fred purchased their home on the northwest side of Milwaukee, where they raised three sons, David, Fred, Jr. and Randy. In her heart, Bobbie was a true homebody, as a stay-at-home mom always enjoying the blessing of her home and the safe space it provided for the family. Fred and Bobbie both toiled at various physically demanding manufacturing-related or service industry jobs during their life together, with Fred taking on additional part time employment to better provide for their sons. Bobbie continued to live in their Milwaukee home after Fred’s passing in 1997. In 2000, Bobbie sold her home in Milwaukee and moved to a condominium in Baraboo, WI, very near to son Fred, but also in closer proximity to both Randy and David and their families. In Baraboo, she lived fully independently in her own condo until the age of 96. In 2021, She moved to The Landings of Kaukauna, Kaukauna, WI, an assisted living community near son Randy. The Landings was her residence until her passing on August 3, 2025, 2 weeks after her 100th birthday.

Bobbie was a fiercely independent person. She lived a full life and witnessed many historical events and technological changes in the world. But most precious of all to her were her relationships with her many family members, relationships that she nurtured through many family get-togethers and important life events. She was especially fond of her life on the farm, frequently telling stories of her love for the farm animals, “adopting” several of them when they were young and frequently visiting with them in their farm quarters. She told many stories about her experiences on the farm with her parents, siblings, and friends and her stories very often resulted in laughter and showed how much love she had for her family and friends. Bobbie enjoyed a lot of hobbies and activities, exhibiting a strong curiosity for rocks and minerals, regular gardening and fishing, bargain shopping/thrifting, sewing, repairing and adjustments to clothes, and teaching herself to play her autoharp. In her mid-80s, she also learned to use a computer to e-mail family and friends, and to surf the internet and watch videos of interest to her. One of her favorite activities, which she continued until her eyesight began to fail, was handmaking numerous “sock monkeys,” demonstrating unique ingenuity. She would clothe the monkeys, using items she either created or made from thrift store items, which conveyed something unique about the intended recipient. Those costumes highlighted the recipient’s employment, hobbies enjoyed, favorite sports teams, or something else that brought the recipients great enjoyment. Bobbie enjoyed almost anything artistic, whether it was as simple as painting the house, or the pride she exhibited with her Christmas decorations.

As she moved past her 80s into her 90s, Bobbie commented that she was “alone and in good company”, but her family and anyone else familiar with her understood that she was never alone, and always in good company!

Bobbie is survived by her three sons, David (Pauline), Fred (Anita) and Randy (Alice), 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her 2 younger sisters, Noreen Treutel and Nita Spadaro, and by numerous nephews and nieces.

Private interment will be at Valhalla Cemetery in Milwaukee, WI. A memorial gathering will be held at a future date.

Memorials may be directed to St. Croix Hospice, whose care for Mom is very gratefully acknowledged.