Dorothy M. Heesaker

Dorothy May Heesaker, 93, passed away peacefully into eternal life, Saturday, June 10, 2017 with her grandson at her side at River's Bend Health Care & Rehab, Manitowoc. It is with heavy hearts, but fondest of memories that we lay to rest our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was born June 6, 1924 in West De Pere, Dorothy was 1 of 7 children of the late Thomas and Mary (Bongers) Heesaker.

Dorothy and her 6 siblings grew up in West De Pere during the great depression and attended St. Boniface grade school. After Pearl Harbor was attacked, Dorothy, at the age of 18, went to work at Green Bay Drop Force, doing her part to support the war effort.

Dorothy raised her 4 children on her own while working at Larsen Canning Co. as well as various cleaning jobs to make ends meet during the 50's and 60's. After her children were grown and the nest was empty, Dorothy moved to Chicago where she met the love of her life and soulmate, Steve Pietrewzski. Their love showed no end and Dorothy would be by Steve's side 20 years later as he took his final breath.

Dorothy lived life with the same passion, heart, toughness and spirit of her number one favorite team, the Green Bay Packers. Her deep love for the green and gold as well as her proud Dutch heritage was felt strongly by all who knew her. Dorothy was a fun, spunky lady with a zest and spark that often showed as she danced or sang to her polka music that she loved so dearly.

Dorothy loved rummage sales, thrift shopping and cooking/baking. She loved making her recipe for stuffing around Thanksgiving by the Nesco-full and passing it around to the entire family as well as to her friends. Dorothy cherished her family and always put their needs ahead of her own. She also saved soda can tabs to help kidney dialysis.

Dorothy was proud of her Dutch ancestry and was sure to let you know she was a full blooded Hollander.

Later in life Dorothy loved story-telling, recalling many events vividly and expressing them with humor and loving nostalgia, as anyone who ever sat down for a cup of coffee with her can agree. He stories, like her, were one of a kind. We will remember this beautiful woman as a kind, special soul with a warm glow in her eyes and a love you could feel radiate from her as she gave you one of her giant, loving hugs and embrace you like no other. Her greatest joy was watching her grandchildren grow up and have lives of their own and families of their own as well as spreading her love equally from her warm heart to her great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Dorothy is survived by her 2 sons, Hank (Betty) and George "Van" Vanderveren; 2 daughters, Mari (Leon) Rushing and Susan (Joe) Schleis; 11 grandchildren: Tom, Sheila, Jamie, Jason and Chris Vandeveren, Kurt Scherer, Nic and Michele Wachowski, Susan and Angie Granado and Jennifer Fritsch; 17 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; her sister, Joan Otto and sister-in-law, Irene Heesaker. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, a special friend, Wanda Kuntsman as well as her Iowa Packer fan family: Dale, Teresa, Kenny, Eathan and J.D.

She was preceded in death by her soulmate, Steve; 2 brothers, James and Andy Heesaker; 3 sisters: Anna Larsen, Ruth Wicker and Alice Harvey; a Godson, Jimmy Otto; honorary granddaughter, Cheryl Kotanen; honorary grandson, Brian Zais; a nephew; a niece; a great-nephew and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held at NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME (340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay), Monday, June 19, 2017 from 11 AM to 1 PM. A funeral service will follow at 1 PM.

Dorothy's family would like to give special heartfelt gratitude for the amazing compassion and care that Homecare Hospice and River's Bend Healthcare gave to not only our mother, but also to her family. You will forever be remembered in our hearts.

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