Dorothy, 91, Appleton, passed away on May 25, 2024, following a brief illness. She was born on Oct 21, 1932, in Hollandtown to the late Michael and Catherine Kaczmarek

She married Dick Penkala in August of 1954, and they shared 66 years together until his passing in 2020. Dorothy was a devout Catholic and longtime member of St. Mary Catholic Church in  Appleton. She loved the outdoors, putzing around in her yard and watching game shows. She also volunteered at the Salvation Army for many years and had a love for peanut butter.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Karen (Chris) Wichman, Appleton; three grandchildren: Abby and Emily Wichman and Chrisopher (Vanessa) Penkala; great granddaughters: Lucy and Molly and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dick, two sons: David and Alan and 15 siblings: Mary (Richard) Carroll, John Kaczmarek, Angelina (Ron) Rodwell, Stella (John) Piatek, Katie (Merlin) Wallenfang, Andrew (Corrine) Kaczmarek, Julie (Jerry) Moede, Stanley (June) Kaczmarek, Anna (Henry) Paulowski, Michael (Betty) Kaczmarek, Frank (Kathy) Kaczmarek, Peter Kaczmarek, Terry Fields, Jospeh Kaczmarek and Josephine (Gordon) Ratzman.

A Funeral Service for Dorothy will be held at 11 AM, Sat. June 1, 2024, at Brettschneider Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel with Deacon Gerry Schraufnagel officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Appleton. Friends may visit the family from 9 – 11 AM at the funeral chapel and there will be a luncheon to follow the service.

A special thank you to ThedaCare at Home Hospice for their wonderful care of Mom these past months.