Dorothy (Dottie) L. Mancheski, 83, Green Bay, died Saturday, July 25, 2009 at home.
Dottie was born April 23, 1926 in Maribel, the daughter of Anton and Lillian Hamernik. She was actually born at her grandparents' (Ed and Teresa Ledvina) home in Manitowoc County.
After graduating from Denmark High School, she completed her diploma at Manitowoc County Normal upon which she began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in the town of Gibson, Manitowoc County. She taught seven years in Manitowoc County school system.
She then set out on a 33-year career in Brown County for schools teaching the mentally handicapped, specifically Donovan School and Syble Hopp School.
Mom was truly a pioneer in the field of special education in Brown County and saw the Brown County Education Program progress from three rooms of classes to what it is today. Rooms in the beginning were in basements, in churches, any vacant space. Joe Donovan and Syble Hopp were her mentors, and she adored and revered them.
Her philosophy was: "You must believe every child has a right to education. Many of their potentials are hidden. We must find them and develop them to their fullest extent. Every child, no matter how handicapped, can contribute something to the community. They will become accepted members of their families, and then the community."
A favorite expression was "the task of the teacher is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts."
Besides her own children, Mom's greatest treasure had always been her students. Her time and energy was constantly focused on bringing out the best in each of them by giving all she had professionally and spiritually, the love and attention each child so rightfully deserves. Mom received many awards, her proudest being the special recognition award of her service on behalf of the developmentally disabled by the Brown County Association of Retarded Citizens.
She retired in 1989. She also was a member of Brown County Retired Teachers and Wisconsin Retired Teachers.
In her mid-life, she received her education degree from Wisconsin State University-Oshkosh which was quite a task. She would teach at school, then commute to Oshkosh for classes, then be home to cook a big dinner for her family. What a Mom with endless energy; but then she believed that education should be the goal of everyone, no matter the difficulties that stand in the way. "God will help always," she declared.
She also received her certification in special education from St. Colletta School, a branch of Cardinal Stritch College, in Jefferson, WI. She held a special memory of St. Colletta, for that is where she met Rose Kennedy, the mother of President Kennedy. That was quite a thrill for her.
Dottie married Edwin (Eddie) Mancheski in Kellnersville June 25, 1949. They were married for 55 wonderful, blissful years. Their pet names for each other were "Clark" and "Rita" for Clark Gable and Rita Hayworth.
He preceded her in death in 2004. Mom wanted this to be said about her husband at the time of her death : "My husband, Eddie, was the greatest friend, husband, father and grandfather ever! A very quiet, reserved loving man!! Because of his very complimentary nature, whether it be how I dressed, smiled or talked, he had me on the highest pedestal all through the 55 years we were together. He was very proud of me after he coaxed me to give all those speeches throughout all those years when I was working. I hated it, but because of his coaxing, I had such great self-esteem. To this day, my kids have carried on Eddie's coaxing –'Mom you look great, so young looking, come meet these people,' etc. Even through my 80's. How could anyone not feel great?"
Our mother was named Dorothy, which means "gift of God." And was she ever. Mom was the queen of extroverts, striking a conversation instantly with a stranger, often just with the glow of her smile.
She was a devotee of the Blessed Virgin and prayed to her constantly. Her Catholic faith was a source of great pride and solace to her and she was quite proud to be a member of St. Philip's Church for several decades.
She had an incredible positive outlook on life and the glass was always half-full from her perspective. She enjoyed decorating the house inside and out for every holiday. Christmas always had a special place in her heart and she was quite proud when her house was picked to be on the Christmas bus tour of decorated homes.
She also loved flowers, and with the help of her husband and son, had the house surrounded by flowers, enough so one had to slow down passing the house to gape at the majesty of it all. Mom loved the theatre. As she always said, "it's in the genes."
Her mother, Lillian, had a great love of music and acting and insisted her daughters, Dorothy and Carolyn, have music lessons as well as classes in tap dancing.
Every summer you'd find her in the front row cheering for her son, Doug, at American Folklore Theatre in Door County.
She also enjoyed spending time with her precious grandchildren. They often gave her a purpose and mission to keep on spreading her good will. She was especially delighted to attend her first grandchild's wedding last April. She was smiling ear to ear, and even though she wasn't feeling great due to the chemo, she said "I wouldn't miss it for the world." She actually danced at the wedding reception. Her youngest grandchildren, Vincent and Grace, gave her a renewal on life and she couldn't wait to spoil them.
Our Mom was truly special and she will be immensely missed beyond words by her six children: Dr. Dean (Sandi) Mancheski, Sheboygan, and their children, Tony and Stacie; Diane (Pat) Noreika, Green Bay; Dale (Patti) Mancheski, Green Bay, and their children, D.J., Jeremy, Ryan and Travis; Doug Mancheski, Green Bay; Debbie (Matt) Ledvina, St. Paul, MN, and their children, Vincent and Grace Dorothy; and Denise (Jen) Mancheski, Green Bay.
She is further survived by two brothers, Anthony (Audrey) Hamernik, Green Bay and David (Jeanne) Hamernik, Zionsville, IN; two brothers-in-law, Lawrence (Marge) Mancheski, Denmark and Ferdinand (Doris) Mancheski, Deerfield; two sisters-in-law, Antoinette "Jean" Schoen, Green Bay and Dorothy (Ed) Matulka, Dwight, NE; her aunt, Grace Quinlan, Green Bay; and her step-mother, Marie Hamernik, Green Bay.
She was preceded in death in death by her husband, parents and only sister, Carolyn Stanelle.
Dottie was born April 23, 1926 in Maribel, the daughter of Anton and Lillian Hamernik. She was actually born at her grandparents' (Ed and Teresa Ledvina) home in Manitowoc County.
After graduating from Denmark High School, she completed her diploma at Manitowoc County Normal upon which she began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in the town of Gibson, Manitowoc County. She taught seven years in Manitowoc County school system.
She then set out on a 33-year career in Brown County for schools teaching the mentally handicapped, specifically Donovan School and Syble Hopp School.
Mom was truly a pioneer in the field of special education in Brown County and saw the Brown County Education Program progress from three rooms of classes to what it is today. Rooms in the beginning were in basements, in churches, any vacant space. Joe Donovan and Syble Hopp were her mentors, and she adored and revered them.
Her philosophy was: "You must believe every child has a right to education. Many of their potentials are hidden. We must find them and develop them to their fullest extent. Every child, no matter how handicapped, can contribute something to the community. They will become accepted members of their families, and then the community."
A favorite expression was "the task of the teacher is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts."
Besides her own children, Mom's greatest treasure had always been her students. Her time and energy was constantly focused on bringing out the best in each of them by giving all she had professionally and spiritually, the love and attention each child so rightfully deserves. Mom received many awards, her proudest being the special recognition award of her service on behalf of the developmentally disabled by the Brown County Association of Retarded Citizens.
She retired in 1989. She also was a member of Brown County Retired Teachers and Wisconsin Retired Teachers.
In her mid-life, she received her education degree from Wisconsin State University-Oshkosh which was quite a task. She would teach at school, then commute to Oshkosh for classes, then be home to cook a big dinner for her family. What a Mom with endless energy; but then she believed that education should be the goal of everyone, no matter the difficulties that stand in the way. "God will help always," she declared.
She also received her certification in special education from St. Colletta School, a branch of Cardinal Stritch College, in Jefferson, WI. She held a special memory of St. Colletta, for that is where she met Rose Kennedy, the mother of President Kennedy. That was quite a thrill for her.
Dottie married Edwin (Eddie) Mancheski in Kellnersville June 25, 1949. They were married for 55 wonderful, blissful years. Their pet names for each other were "Clark" and "Rita" for Clark Gable and Rita Hayworth.
He preceded her in death in 2004. Mom wanted this to be said about her husband at the time of her death : "My husband, Eddie, was the greatest friend, husband, father and grandfather ever! A very quiet, reserved loving man!! Because of his very complimentary nature, whether it be how I dressed, smiled or talked, he had me on the highest pedestal all through the 55 years we were together. He was very proud of me after he coaxed me to give all those speeches throughout all those years when I was working. I hated it, but because of his coaxing, I had such great self-esteem. To this day, my kids have carried on Eddie's coaxing –'Mom you look great, so young looking, come meet these people,' etc. Even through my 80's. How could anyone not feel great?"
Our mother was named Dorothy, which means "gift of God." And was she ever. Mom was the queen of extroverts, striking a conversation instantly with a stranger, often just with the glow of her smile.
She was a devotee of the Blessed Virgin and prayed to her constantly. Her Catholic faith was a source of great pride and solace to her and she was quite proud to be a member of St. Philip's Church for several decades.
She had an incredible positive outlook on life and the glass was always half-full from her perspective. She enjoyed decorating the house inside and out for every holiday. Christmas always had a special place in her heart and she was quite proud when her house was picked to be on the Christmas bus tour of decorated homes.
She also loved flowers, and with the help of her husband and son, had the house surrounded by flowers, enough so one had to slow down passing the house to gape at the majesty of it all. Mom loved the theatre. As she always said, "it's in the genes."
Her mother, Lillian, had a great love of music and acting and insisted her daughters, Dorothy and Carolyn, have music lessons as well as classes in tap dancing.
Every summer you'd find her in the front row cheering for her son, Doug, at American Folklore Theatre in Door County.
She also enjoyed spending time with her precious grandchildren. They often gave her a purpose and mission to keep on spreading her good will. She was especially delighted to attend her first grandchild's wedding last April. She was smiling ear to ear, and even though she wasn't feeling great due to the chemo, she said "I wouldn't miss it for the world." She actually danced at the wedding reception. Her youngest grandchildren, Vincent and Grace, gave her a renewal on life and she couldn't wait to spoil them.
Our Mom was truly special and she will be immensely missed beyond words by her six children: Dr. Dean (Sandi) Mancheski, Sheboygan, and their children, Tony and Stacie; Diane (Pat) Noreika, Green Bay; Dale (Patti) Mancheski, Green Bay, and their children, D.J., Jeremy, Ryan and Travis; Doug Mancheski, Green Bay; Debbie (Matt) Ledvina, St. Paul, MN, and their children, Vincent and Grace Dorothy; and Denise (Jen) Mancheski, Green Bay.
She is further survived by two brothers, Anthony (Audrey) Hamernik, Green Bay and David (Jeanne) Hamernik, Zionsville, IN; two brothers-in-law, Lawrence (Marge) Mancheski, Denmark and Ferdinand (Doris) Mancheski, Deerfield; two sisters-in-law, Antoinette "Jean" Schoen, Green Bay and Dorothy (Ed) Matulka, Dwight, NE; her aunt, Grace Quinlan, Green Bay; and her step-mother, Marie Hamernik, Green Bay.
She was preceded in death in death by her husband, parents and only sister, Carolyn Stanelle.
Dorothy (Dottie) L. Mancheski, 83, Green Bay, died Saturday, July 25, 2009 at home.
Dottie was born April 23, 1926 in Maribel, the daughter of Anton and Lillian Hamernik. She was actually born at her grandparents' (Ed and Teresa Ledvina) home in Manitowoc County.
After graduating from Denmark High School, she completed her diploma at Manitowoc County Normal upon which she began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in the town of Gibson, Manitowoc County. She taught seven years in Manitowoc County school system.
She then set out on a 33-year career in Brown County for schools teaching the mentally handicapped, specifically Donovan School and Syble Hopp School.
Mom was truly a pioneer in the field of special education in Brown County and saw the Brown County Education Program progress from three rooms of classes to what it is today. Rooms in the beginning were in basements, in churches, any vacant space. Joe Donovan and Syble Hopp were her mentors, and she adored and revered them.
Her philosophy was: "You must believe every child has a right to education. Many of their potentials are hidden. We must find them and develop them to their fullest extent. Every child, no matter how handicapped, can contribute something to the community. They will become accepted members of their families, and then the community."
A favorite expression was "the task of the teacher is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts."
Besides her own children, Mom's greatest treasure had always been her students. Her time and energy was constantly focused on bringing out the best in each of them by giving all she had professionally and spiritually, the love and attention each child so rightfully deserves. Mom received many awards, her proudest being the special recognition award of her service on behalf of the developmentally disabled by the Brown County Association of Retarded Citizens.
She retired in 1989. She also was a member of Brown County Retired Teachers and Wisconsin Retired Teachers.
In her mid-life, she received her education degree from Wisconsin State University-Oshkosh which was quite a task. She would teach at school, then commute to Oshkosh for classes, then be home to cook a big dinner for her family. What a Mom with endless energy; but then she believed that education should be the goal of everyone, no matter the difficulties that stand in the way. "God will help always," she declared.
She also received her certification in special education from St. Colletta School, a branch of Cardinal Stritch College, in Jefferson, WI. She held a special memory of St. Colletta, for that is where she met Rose Kennedy, the mother of President Kennedy. That was quite a thrill for her.
Dottie married Edwin (Eddie) Mancheski in Kellnersville June 25, 1949. They were married for 55 wonderful, blissful years. Their pet names for each other were "Clark" and "Rita" for Clark Gable and Rita Hayworth.
He preceded her in death in 2004. Mom wanted this to be said about her husband at the time of her death : "My husband, Eddie, was the greatest friend, husband, father and grandfather ever! A very quiet, reserved loving man!! Because of his very complimentary nature, whether it be how I dressed, smiled or talked, he had me on the highest pedestal all through the 55 years we were together. He was very proud of me after he coaxed me to give all those speeches throughout all those years when I was working. I hated it, but because of his coaxing, I had such great self-esteem. To this day, my kids have carried on Eddie's coaxing –'Mom you look great, so young looking, come meet these people,' etc. Even through my 80's. How could anyone not feel great?"
Our mother was named Dorothy, which means "gift of God." And was she ever. Mom was the queen of extroverts, striking a conversation instantly with a stranger, often just with the glow of her smile.
She was a devotee of the Blessed Virgin and prayed to her constantly. Her Catholic faith was a source of great pride and solace to her and she was quite proud to be a member of St. Philip's Church for several decades.
She had an incredible positive outlook on life and the glass was always half-full from her perspective. She enjoyed decorating the house inside and out for every holiday. Christmas always had a special place in her heart and she was quite proud when her house was picked to be on the Christmas bus tour of decorated homes.
She also loved flowers, and with the help of her husband and son, had the house surrounded by flowers, enough so one had to slow down passing the house to gape at the majesty of it all. Mom loved the theatre. As she always said, "it's in the genes."
Her mother, Lillian, had a great love of music and acting and insisted her daughters, Dorothy and Carolyn, have music lessons as well as classes in tap dancing.
Every summer you'd find her in the front row cheering for her son, Doug, at American Folklore Theatre in Door County.
She also enjoyed spending time with her precious grandchildren. They often gave her a purpose and mission to keep on spreading her good will. She was especially delighted to attend her first grandchild's wedding last April. She was smiling ear to ear, and even though she wasn't feeling great due to the chemo, she said "I wouldn't miss it for the world." She actually danced at the wedding reception. Her youngest grandchildren, Vincent and Grace, gave her a renewal on life and she couldn't wait to spoil them.
Our Mom was truly special and she will be immensely missed beyond words by her six children: Dr. Dean (Sandi) Mancheski, Sheboygan, and their children, Tony and Stacie; Diane (Pat) Noreika, Green Bay; Dale (Patti) Mancheski, Green Bay, and their children, D.J., Jeremy, Ryan and Travis; Doug Mancheski, Green Bay; Debbie (Matt) Ledvina, St. Paul, MN, and their children, Vincent and Grace Dorothy; and Denise (Jen) Mancheski, Green Bay.
She is further survived by two brothers, Anthony (Audrey) Hamernik, Green Bay and David (Jeanne) Hamernik, Zionsville, IN; two brothers-in-law, Lawrence (Marge) Mancheski, Denmark and Ferdinand (Doris) Mancheski, Deerfield; two sisters-in-law, Antoinette "Jean" Schoen, Green Bay and Dorothy (Ed) Matulka, Dwight, NE; her aunt, Grace Quinlan, Green Bay; and her step-mother, Marie Hamernik, Green Bay.
She was preceded in death in death by her husband, parents and only sister, Carolyn Stanelle.
Dottie was born April 23, 1926 in Maribel, the daughter of Anton and Lillian Hamernik. She was actually born at her grandparents' (Ed and Teresa Ledvina) home in Manitowoc County.
After graduating from Denmark High School, she completed her diploma at Manitowoc County Normal upon which she began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in the town of Gibson, Manitowoc County. She taught seven years in Manitowoc County school system.
She then set out on a 33-year career in Brown County for schools teaching the mentally handicapped, specifically Donovan School and Syble Hopp School.
Mom was truly a pioneer in the field of special education in Brown County and saw the Brown County Education Program progress from three rooms of classes to what it is today. Rooms in the beginning were in basements, in churches, any vacant space. Joe Donovan and Syble Hopp were her mentors, and she adored and revered them.
Her philosophy was: "You must believe every child has a right to education. Many of their potentials are hidden. We must find them and develop them to their fullest extent. Every child, no matter how handicapped, can contribute something to the community. They will become accepted members of their families, and then the community."
A favorite expression was "the task of the teacher is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts."
Besides her own children, Mom's greatest treasure had always been her students. Her time and energy was constantly focused on bringing out the best in each of them by giving all she had professionally and spiritually, the love and attention each child so rightfully deserves. Mom received many awards, her proudest being the special recognition award of her service on behalf of the developmentally disabled by the Brown County Association of Retarded Citizens.
She retired in 1989. She also was a member of Brown County Retired Teachers and Wisconsin Retired Teachers.
In her mid-life, she received her education degree from Wisconsin State University-Oshkosh which was quite a task. She would teach at school, then commute to Oshkosh for classes, then be home to cook a big dinner for her family. What a Mom with endless energy; but then she believed that education should be the goal of everyone, no matter the difficulties that stand in the way. "God will help always," she declared.
She also received her certification in special education from St. Colletta School, a branch of Cardinal Stritch College, in Jefferson, WI. She held a special memory of St. Colletta, for that is where she met Rose Kennedy, the mother of President Kennedy. That was quite a thrill for her.
Dottie married Edwin (Eddie) Mancheski in Kellnersville June 25, 1949. They were married for 55 wonderful, blissful years. Their pet names for each other were "Clark" and "Rita" for Clark Gable and Rita Hayworth.
He preceded her in death in 2004. Mom wanted this to be said about her husband at the time of her death : "My husband, Eddie, was the greatest friend, husband, father and grandfather ever! A very quiet, reserved loving man!! Because of his very complimentary nature, whether it be how I dressed, smiled or talked, he had me on the highest pedestal all through the 55 years we were together. He was very proud of me after he coaxed me to give all those speeches throughout all those years when I was working. I hated it, but because of his coaxing, I had such great self-esteem. To this day, my kids have carried on Eddie's coaxing –'Mom you look great, so young looking, come meet these people,' etc. Even through my 80's. How could anyone not feel great?"
Our mother was named Dorothy, which means "gift of God." And was she ever. Mom was the queen of extroverts, striking a conversation instantly with a stranger, often just with the glow of her smile.
She was a devotee of the Blessed Virgin and prayed to her constantly. Her Catholic faith was a source of great pride and solace to her and she was quite proud to be a member of St. Philip's Church for several decades.
She had an incredible positive outlook on life and the glass was always half-full from her perspective. She enjoyed decorating the house inside and out for every holiday. Christmas always had a special place in her heart and she was quite proud when her house was picked to be on the Christmas bus tour of decorated homes.
She also loved flowers, and with the help of her husband and son, had the house surrounded by flowers, enough so one had to slow down passing the house to gape at the majesty of it all. Mom loved the theatre. As she always said, "it's in the genes."
Her mother, Lillian, had a great love of music and acting and insisted her daughters, Dorothy and Carolyn, have music lessons as well as classes in tap dancing.
Every summer you'd find her in the front row cheering for her son, Doug, at American Folklore Theatre in Door County.
She also enjoyed spending time with her precious grandchildren. They often gave her a purpose and mission to keep on spreading her good will. She was especially delighted to attend her first grandchild's wedding last April. She was smiling ear to ear, and even though she wasn't feeling great due to the chemo, she said "I wouldn't miss it for the world." She actually danced at the wedding reception. Her youngest grandchildren, Vincent and Grace, gave her a renewal on life and she couldn't wait to spoil them.
Our Mom was truly special and she will be immensely missed beyond words by her six children: Dr. Dean (Sandi) Mancheski, Sheboygan, and their children, Tony and Stacie; Diane (Pat) Noreika, Green Bay; Dale (Patti) Mancheski, Green Bay, and their children, D.J., Jeremy, Ryan and Travis; Doug Mancheski, Green Bay; Debbie (Matt) Ledvina, St. Paul, MN, and their children, Vincent and Grace Dorothy; and Denise (Jen) Mancheski, Green Bay.
She is further survived by two brothers, Anthony (Audrey) Hamernik, Green Bay and David (Jeanne) Hamernik, Zionsville, IN; two brothers-in-law, Lawrence (Marge) Mancheski, Denmark and Ferdinand (Doris) Mancheski, Deerfield; two sisters-in-law, Antoinette "Jean" Schoen, Green Bay and Dorothy (Ed) Matulka, Dwight, NE; her aunt, Grace Quinlan, Green Bay; and her step-mother, Marie Hamernik, Green Bay.
She was preceded in death in death by her husband, parents and only sister, Carolyn Stanelle.
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