Barbola Funeral Chapel

Dorothy M. "Dot" Sawallish

Dorothy Marie “Dot” Sawallish, age 102 and two months, of Phillips, formerly of Borth, went to be with her Lord on Friday, June 23, 2023, at Whispering Pines Nursing & Rehab in Ripon.

She was born April 20, 1921, in Colby, WI, the daughter of Charles and Mary Ann Kramer Krueger. They moved several times while she was growing up as her father bought, restored and sold houses. They settled in Winneconne. She was a 1939 graduate of Omro High School. It was there where she met the love of her life, Russell Frederick Sawallish. They were united in marriage on July 29, 1939, in Oshkosh and moved to Borth where they ran a dairy farm for many years. They were blessed with three sons, Wayne, Larry, and Douglas. Dorothy worked very hard on the farm doing everything from milking cows to plowing, discing, and planting the fields. She was a most attentive and patient wife, always at her husband’s side helping however she could.

Dorothy had a very strong faith which she shared with others. She reminded her family and others often about attending church. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Borth until they moved to Phillips in 1985 and joined Trinity Lutheran Church there. While living in Borth, she and her husband were custodians working hard to keep the church active. They also had a school next door. Dorothy drove bus (station wagon) to transport children to and from.

Her three sons married and presented her with six beautiful grandchildren. She was a loving, caring, kind, and compassionate grandma who loved her grandchildren dearly and would drop what she was doing to spend quality time with them the minute they arrived. She also babysat for several of them on a regular basis. Grandma’s house was exciting and special in so many ways. They all loved going to grandma’s house.

Dorothy was fortunate to be blessed with 10 great-grandchildren, and she adored every one of them. They visited her often even while she was in the nursing home. She knew everyone’s name and all about them right up to the very end. Her family meant everything to her and she kept in touch with each one. Her mind was sharp right up until the end. She was truly an amazing lady.

After retirement in 1985, they moved to Phillips, WI, and bought a house on Soo Lake. This was a dream come true as they both loved to fish and they were closer to two of their sons. It also allowed them to travel to visit relatives in California and Alabama.

She is survived by her two sons, Larry Sawallish (Joe Laws) and Douglas (Nicki) Sawallish; six grandchildren, Michele (Craig) Stevenson, Stacie (Rick) Adkins, Russell Braun Sawallish, Trevor Sawallish (Laura), Yulric Sawallish, and Yahn (Tammi) Sawallish; 10 great-grandchildren, Amanda, Brianna, Carissa, Ian, Jonah, Nathanael, Christian, Lydia (Ruairidh) Munn, Weston and Coralyn; special friends, Evonne (Vern Heinrich) Harr, , and Paul (Diane) Albright; and many caring nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 76 years, Russell F. Sawallish, in 2015; parents; son, Wayne (Laurie) Sawallish; three sisters, Alice Thull, Verona Rau and Ida Wilher; and two brothers, Ray and Robert Krueger.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, July 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Auroraville. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Rex Rinne officiating. Inurnment will be in Borth Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Dorothy Sawallish, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.