Dorothy Brenner

Dorothy M. Brenner, just days before her 104th birthday, died on Sunday, September 6, 2026 at the Calumet Medical Center in Chilton. She was born September 28, 1922 in Charlestown, daughter of the late John & Katherine (Juckem) Kolbe.

She was born and raised in the Town of Charlestown and had met Rudy Brenner who was quite smitten with her. He had painted his car green, and Dorothy let him know that she wouldn’t go on another date with him unless he painted it black. Thankfully, Rudy made the switch and the rest, as they say, is history. The couple was married on June 4, 1947 at St. Martin Catholic Church in Chilton and they farmed side by side in Kloten until they retired at the age of 68.

They truly loved country living and even when they were done milking cows remained on the farmstead until 2013 when they moved to the hustling, bustling city of Chilton.

She was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, formerly St. Elizabeth Parish where she was an active member of the Christian Women. Throughout her entire life, Dorothy belonged to several card clubs and the game of Sheepshead kept her motivated, involved and thriving well past the age of 100. She enjoyed working with her hands creating works of art through crocheting. Although she could never read a pattern, she was able to make and recreate anything she saw.

Dorothy was beyond proficient when she was in the kitchen. She would create delicious made from scratch meals and desserts. She was especially known for her savory German Potato Salad, tantalizing pickled beets and her melt in your mouth chocolate chip cookies. When November rolled around, Dorothy began gearing up to make mounds and mounds of Christmas candy to be shared with family and friends. When she wasn’t creating a gourmet meal, Dorothy could be found outside tending to her beautiful flowers or raising and harvesting fruits and vegetables out of her garden. Dorothy raised the best farm fresh eggs and made sure to feed all of the birds in her yard, especially her prized orioles.

Dorothy loved to spend time with her family and was her grandchildren’s biggest fan as they participated in their sports and extracurricular activities. She never passed up an opportunity to sit down with any or all of them to shake dice or play a game.

Survivors include her children: John (Arlene) Brenner, Patricia (Leon) Ruhland, Karen (Joe) Schoenborn; her grandchildren: Jeff (Lynn) Brenner, Tim Brenner & Dan Shea, Stacey (Brian) Ecker, Dan Ruhland & Larry Srebrenick, Chad (Allison) Ruhland, Michele (Shawn) Rude, Maria (Joe) Halbach, Angela (Thearith) Cheng, Greg (Jewel) Ruhland, Mary (Chris) West, Mike (Jackie) Ruhland, Jill (Adam) Bangart, Emily (Dominic) Ceci, Amanda (Mitchell) Schaefer; 32 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Rudy; daughter and son-in-law: Alice (Donald) Ruhland; her siblings: Art (Grace) Kolbe, Roman (Rose) Kolbe, Ottilia (Alfred) Daun, Leonard (Jean) Kolbe, Andrew (Alice) Kolbe, Sally (Mike) Trimberger, Mary Ann Kolbe, Berthilda “Bertie” (Harold) Brenner; and her siblings-in-law: Janice Kolbe, Leo (Marie) Brenner, Ann Petrie, Vincie (Duke) Steffes, Minnie (John) Widmer, Bernard (Jeanette) Brenner, Regina (Herman) Wirtz, Walter Brenner, Albin Brenner.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 am on Friday, September 11, 2026 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church (54 E. Main St.) in Chilton. Burial will be in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Hilbert. A time of visitation will be held at the church in the fellowship hall downstairs from 9:00 am until 11:15 am. At the time of the service, there will be a link available above for those wishing to watch a livestream or archived recording of the service, view a memorial video, or see pictures of the flowers and gifts given to the family.

Dorothy’s family would like to thank the entire staff at Century Ridge, especially Tracy and all of her great friends there for all of the wonderful care that she had received. They are also grateful for the staff at Ascension Calumet Hospital for their great care in Dorothy’s final hours and Holly who tenderly cared for her. They would also like to thank Lois who kept making Mom beautiful each and every week. To all of the friends of Dorothy’s various card clubs and breakfast groups who kept her entertained, God Bless You all!