Full Obituary

     KENNETH R. DOLLE, age 82, of Greenwood, WI, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his children, on Wednesday, July 1, 2015.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, July 4, 2015, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Greenwood.  Rev. Charles Hiebl will officiate and interment will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be: Anthony, Paul, Nicholas, Eric and Christopher Dolle and David Schreindl.  Visitation will be held at the church, on Saturday, from 9:30 am until time of the service.
     Kenneth Raymond Dolle was born on October 6, 1932 in Chicago, IL, to George E. and Maxine (nee McKennon) Dolle.  He graduated from St. Christopher’s Catholic School in Midlothian, IL and Thorton High School in Harvey, IL.  He entered the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1951.  Ken married the love of his life, Mary Joyce Spooner, on January 19, 1952 in Joliet, IL.  Ken worked in the steel mills of Chicago, where he also raced stock cars and did mechanical work.  He passed his love of cars and mechanics on to his eight sons.  Ken and Mary lived in the Harvey area until 1971, when they moved to their home in Greenwood, WI.  Together, they had 13 children.  Ken was a self-made man who grew up and learned many life lessons in the Great Depression.  He valued hard work, integrity and was proud of his service to his country.  In the Greenwood area, his can-do spirit allowed him to accomplish much in his life, in part because he had the support and love of his wife, Mary, and also because he never allowed the challenges of life to dull his spirit.  Ken wasn’t afraid of hard work, often working two or three jobs to support 13 children.  He worked in foundries as a maintenance supervisor, sold insurance and worked for the telephone company.  In 1982, he attended Chippewa Valley Technical College where he earned his real estate and appraisal license.  He successfully started his own business shortly after, Ken Dolle Real Estate and Appraisals, from which he retired at the age of 81 years old.
     Ken was active in the Greenwood Lions, Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the WI Real Estate Association.  Besides a great work ethic, Ken instilled in his children a love of life, often saying, “You need to get busy living.” He and Mary shared a wonderful life together in the country, growing vegetables and raising chickens and pigs.  They spent most their time with the large family they loved, which included an assortment of rescued cats and dogs.
     Ken also enjoyed reading, watching old movies and listening to music.  He will be missed by his children: Karen (Jim) Mohr of Neillsville; Denise Carter of Neillsville, Anthony (Eloise) Dolle of Loyal; Margaret (Jay) Ouimette of Neillsville; Dawn Ormond (Matt Meyer) of Neillsville; Jeannine Spooner (Nick) Kitzhaber of Arden Hills, MN; Paul Dolle of Menomonie, WI; Nicholas (Janet) Dolle of Neillsville; George Dolle of Las Vegas, NV; Eric Dolle of Greenwood; and Christopher (Carie) Dolle of Chilton, WI; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ken is also survived by cousins: Doris (Maddy) Spera of Modesto, CA and Paul McKennon of Orland Park, IL.
     Ken was preceded in death by his parents;  his dear wife, Mary, on March 19, 2015;  his sons: Robert J. Dolle on February 28, 2015, and Kenneth J. Dolle on December 28, 2002; one great grandchild; one brother: George Dolle; and many other relatives and friends.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s Catholic School, Greenwood, WI.