Dolores M. Hoefler

It is with deep sadness that we announce that our mother, Dolores Hoefler, age 93, passed on from this life on June 17, 2024, at St. Paul Elder Services. She was born November 17, 1930, to the late Chris and Lena (Bies) Gerig, on a farm near Kaukauna. A 1948 graduate of Kaukauna High School, she married Wenzel Hoefler on May 25, 1950, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Kaukauna. Dolores was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s (St. Katharine Drexel) Parish. Dolores worked at Home Mutual Insurance in Appleton and later as a secretary at St. Mary’s School in Kaukauna for nearly 20 years.

Wenz and Dolores had sixty-seven wonderful years together. After their retirement, the couple enjoyed many bus trips to various locations. She and Wenzel were volunteers at St. Vincent DePaul in Kaukauna for many years.

Dolores will be remembered by all for her skill with just about any craft, especially if it involved a needle. She did everything from making doll clothes for the kids to repairing upholstery in a car. She crocheted, knitted, enjoyed reading, and was a gifted seamstress - creating custom wedding dresses for her daughters.

She was gentle, she was loving, she was humble, she was a lovely woman who treasured spending time with her family.

Dolores is survived by two daughters: Linda (Patrick) Kilsdonk of Kronenwetter and Diane (Chuck) Van Thiel of Kaukauna; and a son, Dan (Mary) Hoefler of Kaukauna. Her grandchildren include Emily (Stephen) Balsley, Sarah Macias, Stacy (Matt) Mader, Scott Van Thiel, Megan (Kevin) Reinhold, and Marissa (Brett) Laird. She was also blessed by her six great-grandchildren: Stella Balsley, Enzo Macias, Macy Mader, Mallory Mader, Addy Reinhold, and Milo Reinhold, as well as many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

In addition to her parents, Dolores was preceded in death by her husband, Wenzel in 2017, sisters Kathleen (Donald) Dietzen, Lucille (Daniel) Weyenberg, and Dorothy (Raymond Stoffel, Norbert) Dietzen. Members of the Hoefler family who have already passed away are Wenzel's parents Michael and Mary (DeBruin) Hoefler, siblings Jerome, Werner, Edwin, Olive Schinke, Lucille Kilgas, Agnes Lemmers, and Virginia Samuels.

The funeral liturgy for Dolores will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 28, 2024, at St. Katharine Drexel Parish – St. Mary’s Site, located at 119 W. 7th Street in Kaukauna, with Fr. Luke Ferris officiating. She will be laid to rest at St. Mary's Cemetery next to her beloved Wenz. Visitation will be held at the church on the morning of the 28th, from 9:00 AM until the time of service.

Our deepest gratitude goes out to the amazing staff at St. Paul Elder Services and the staff of Compassus Hospice, as well as friends and family who have been so supportive.