Dorothy Anna Rekowski

Dorothy Anna Rekowski, age 82, died Sunday, July 22, 2012 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital after a long-term illness. She was born on June 24, 1930 as the 11th of 12 children of Joseph and Margaret (Yeromin) Dawiedczyk of Peplin, Wis. In 1948, Dorothy was introduced to Anthony Rekowski at a wedding. The two later wed on July 25, 1951 and moved to Wausau. The family started to grow. Along came the births of their children, Marilyn (Arden) Rindfleisch, Mike (Sandy), Jeff (Laurie), Thomas (Darlene), Mark (Jayne), and Paul (Beth Anne). Along followed grandchildren, David (Claire), Jeremy (Kristen), Jody, Tara (Shane) Herdt, Jenny, Sherry, Amy, Tony, Andrew, Brianna, the late Kyle, Collin, Matthew, and Mikey; and great grandchildren Mackenzie and Aiden. Dorothy enjoyed sewing, painting, photography, gardening, quilting, taking social trips to the casino, hosting family holiday parties, and being a good friend and therapist. Her family will surely miss her home cooking (stuffed cabbages, porcupine meatballs, lemon meringue pies, and Christmas cookies), but mainly they will miss the way she lit up a room with her smile. It is amazing how one little farm girl made such an impact on so many lives. She will be missed by many. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, two sisters, Helen Papa of Wausau and Leona Lietz of Tempe, Ariz., in-laws Merceda and Clifford Knapp of Wausau, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Anthony in 1990, her parents, nine brothers and sisters, and grandson Kyle. The family would especially like to thank Dr. Hamied Rezazadeh and the staff at the UW Cancer Center in Wausau for their kindness and compassion over the last five years for Dorothy and her family. They would also like to thank the Aspirus Radiology Department. The "Queen for a Day" says thank you. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 27, 2012 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. Timothy Welles will preside. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a rosary Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com