Doris Wilbert, formerly Maurer, age 92, formerly of Sheboygan, died Sunday, December 13, 2015 at Field of Dreams Assisted Living near Kiel, where she had lived for the past two years. She was born on August 31, 1923 on the family farm near Cedar Lake. Her parents were Phillip and Kathryn Maurer. Two siblings survive her: Phillip Maurer Jr., (Helen), who lives on the family farm on South Cedar Lake Rd; and, Kathryn Hansmann (Monroe) of New Holstein. Further survived by sisters-in-law: Dori Maurer & Myra Maurer. Four siblings preceded her in death: Kermit Maurer (Nellie), Bernice Van de Grift (Jack), Alan Maurer and Daniel Maurer. Doris attended Maple Corner School and Kiel High School, where she graduated as salutatorian in 1941. During World War II, she worked as a civilian employee for the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. In 1944 she married Robert Wilbert in Atlanta, Georgia, and in 1945 the couple returned to live in Sheboygan. He preceded her in death on July 2, 1996. They had three sons, all of whom survive her: Gary Wilbert (Susan), of Charlottesville, Virginia; Tom Wilbert, of Sheboygan; and Jim Wilbert (Pam), of Howards Grove. Survivors also include four grandchildren: Jessica Wilbert of Boston; Addison Wilbert of Howards Grove; Nick Wilbert (fiancé Kelly Chicker) of Howards Grove; and Tiffany Wieser (Mike) of Plymouth.In her late forties, Doris returned to college to earn a bachelor's degree and then, at age 53, a masters degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She was an outstanding student at all levels of her formal education and received academic commendations at every level. She worked as a social worker in Sheboygan for several decades.Her interests were many. First and foremost, she was a devoted wife and mother. In addition, she had numerous life-long academic interests, including studying the poetry of Emily Dickinson; an interest in geology; and, especially, an interest in Shakespeare and the Elizabethan playwrights. She wrote a book on the Shakespeare authorship issue, advocating that Shakespeare's plays were probably written by Christopher Marlowe.She was a member of the Unitarian Church group in Sheboygan and had a lifelong interest in Biblical history and the common spiritual foundations of all religions. She learned Transcendental Meditation, along with two of her sons and practiced it for over forty years.She was an active member of the Sheboygan community, serving in leadership positions with several charitable organizations, including Head Start and the Women's League for Peace and Freedom. She was a major contributor to the construction of the new Mead Public Library in Sheboygan.There will be a celebration of Doris's life at Meiselwitz-Vollstedt Funeral Home (815 6th St. Kiel) on Saturday, December 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with a formal ceremony to follow.

Manititowoc Herald Times Reporter Dec 16 2015