Dolores Dravis, 89, a resident of Fairhaven, in Whitewater, died peacefully Dec. 27, 2015, surrounded by her loving family.
Dolores “Baby” was born in Chicago, March 1, 1926, the daughter of Victoria and Stanley Kozial. She married Wally Dravis in Marengo, Ill., and they were blessed with six children, Susan (Bill) Gnatzig, of River Falls, Dorina (John) Weigelt, of Elm Grove, Louise (Joe) Thompson, of Rockford, Ill., Carl (Angie) Dravis, of McHenry, Ill., Rhonda (Rick) Demos, of Janesville, Patti Dravis-Medina, of Milton; and one foster daughter, (Little) Patty (Derrick) Hoffman, of Ind. Her children blessed Dolores with 16 grand children, Kari (Michael) Listenbee, Jim (Denise) Benages, Krista (Rob) Payne, J.C. (Lindsay) Weigelt, Coby Weigelt, Sheena Dravis, Casey Demos, Shelly Dravis, Sharon Dravis, Kevin Dravis, Shelby Demos, Paige Demos, Joey Medina, Adam Medina, Derdre Hoffman, and Michael Hoffman. They in turn blessed Dolores with 7 great grand children, Jordan Listenbee, Amara Listenbee, Jimmy Benages Jr., Kacey Payne, Cameron Payne, Bennett Weigelt, and Finley Weigelt.
Dolores and Wally started their marriage in Union, Ill., subsequently moving to Harvard, Ill. In 1962, they purchased the Teetshorn farm on Walworth Ave in Whitewater and quickly learned how to combine city and farm life. Dolores took a job at the Duck Inn where customers were drawn to her efficiency and sparkling personality. In later years she used those same qualities to teach and mentor special needs adults at Vocational Industries in Elkhorn. She later took a job at Gateway Tech. teaching job and life skills.
She loved family, friends, flowers, music, and cooking. Her vibrance, joy and laughter will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Dolores was preceded in death by her husband, Wally; brother, Joe; sisters, Casey and Helene; and her beloved and faithful Cocker Spaniel, Molly. She is survived by all her descendants and brothers, Wally and Stash.
Funeral Services will take place at 1 p.m., Saturday at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb Street, Whitewater, with the Rev. Duane Goetsch and the Rev. Michael Obinger officiating.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday at the Nitardy Funeral Home until the time of the services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rainbow Hospice of Jefferson.
