Dorothy Francis Stencel

Dorothy Francis Stencel
Previously Halvorsen
(nee Czosnyka)
April 14, 1928 January 4, 2011

Surrounded by family, Dorothy joined her Heavenly Father on January 4th, 2011. She was a lymphoma cancer survivor of more than 6 years, living her life with spunk and gusto. She was one of five children born of immigrant Polish parents, Andrew and Mary Ann (Partyka) Czosnyka, in Chicago, IL.

She was preceded in death by her first husband of 35 yrs, Richard F. Halvorsen and first child, son Larry L. Halvorsen, both formerly of Lake Zurich, IL. Dorothy and Richard moved to Mauston in 1974 to begin a new farming life, which she loved. Dorothy and Richard had 4 children. Dorothy is survived by sons: Harvey (Ruth) of New Richmond, WI; Richard (Mary) of Westfield, WI. Her daughter, Patricia Czys resides in Mauston, WI. A step son, Al (Mary) Stencel resides in Little Falls, MN. Daughter-in-law, Carol Halvorsen, resides in Fountain Hills, AZ. Dorothy also had 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 3 step grandchildren. She is survived by her sisters, Genevieve Billick of Grayslake, IL and Virginia Lewandowski of Brooksville, FL.

Dorothy graduated from St. Fidelis Grade School in Chicago in 1943. She worked in her fathers grocery and retail store in Chicago on 21st Place. During WWII she worked at Weilands greenhouse in Aptikisic, IL where she met Richard. Dorothy also worked at Culligans in Northbrook until the birth of her 2nd child; after which she was a stay-at-home mom in Lake Zurich, IL for the next 20 years. Dorothy and Richard moved to Mauston in 1974 working on their dairy farm. She and Richard ran their own feeder pig operation for several years until the death of Richard in 1980.

In 1981, while vacationing at Las Vegas with her sister Jean, she met Ronald Stencel of Winona, MN. Dorothy and Ronald were married in 1982 at Most Sacred Heart Parish in Pine Creek, WI and celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in 2007. They lived in Winona, MN where Dorothy was employed at Lake Center Industries for 16 years and was a member of the UAW, retiring in 1990.

Dorothy and Ron traveled together often. They moved to be with family in 1994 to Fountain Hills, Arizona. In 1996 they moved to Brooksville, Florida, and then to Mauston, WI in 1998 where they resided at The Arches for 8 years.

Dorothy was a creative person and crocheted lovely blankets for each grandchild as a loving remembrance of their Grandma. She also loved cooking her family Polish holiday meals, baking, helping others, and always felt that she had been blessed with a wonderful family.

Dorothy wanted to thank her friends from Hospice TouchElaine, Bonnie, Judi, Jenny and Dani for their loving care. She and her late husband Ron, wishes to thank the hospice team of Arris and Al Sullivan for their tender care and companionship. Dorothy thanks the Reverend Jeffery Fairchild for his regular visits to her home and at the hospital. She also thanks Fr.s Burns and Valentine and Jan Mullenberg of St. Patricks Catholic Parish for their camaraderie and spiritual guidance and Holy Communion. Dorothy also greatly appreciated the support and care of the staff at Hess Memorial Hospital which included Dr. Ann Hoffman, Mary, Jo and the nursing staff and the rest of the hospital staff technicians and CNAs!

Memorials can be sent to: Hospice Touch- Serenity House @ Mile Bluff Medical Center, 1050 Division St., Mauston 53940

A Mass of Christian Celebration, honoring Dorothy F. Stencel, will take place at 11 am on Monday, February 14, 2011at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Mauston. The gathering of friends and family at the church will begin at 10 am that morning. Following Mass, in the Reardon Commons downstairs, will be a luncheon to celebrate the life of Dorothy. Interment will be at Mauston Cemetery alongside her former husbands Ronald R. Stencel and Richard F. Halvorsen., when weather permits.

The Adams County Cremation Society assisted the family. Visit www.adamscountycremations.com for online condolences and further information