Obituaries & Guestbook

Doris Faye Oldenburg passed away on July 28, 2023 at Cedar Grove Gardens assisted living facility where she lived for the past three years. She was 91 years old.
There were two major chapters in the life of Doris Oldenburg. Doris was born on August 13, 1931 in Vilas County near Eagle River Wisconsin, the oldest of four children of Herman and Vivian (Karenke) Ketz. Her early years were spent in northern Wisconsin with many happy memories of those times.
Eventually, her mother’s health problems led to a move to Sheboygan, Wisconsin to be near other relatives, but also put Doris into the role of being the mother to her younger sisters and brother, despite still being a school age girl herself. This really began the first major chapter of Doris’s life, motherhood.
Being a mother to her younger siblings was good training for what was to come for Doris. In 1948 she married Otto H. Oldenburg in Sheboygan, and by the time she was in her early 20’s they had 3 daughters under the age of 4 years old. Three more daughters followed, so motherhood became her life, a role she played outstandingly. There were always delicious home cooked meals and baked goods, and a spotless home! Doris took great care that her girls always had nice clothes, within her budget. She amazingly found time to sew many of the clothes herself, even all the bridesmaids’ dresses for at least one of the 6 weddings that eventually took place. She always put the happiness and well-being of her children above any of her own wants and needs. She did so with grace and good humor. Her daughters always knew that their mother truly loved them and would be there for them, listen to them, and keep their confidences.
A couple of decades later, the second major chapter of her life began, about the time of her youngest daughter’s high school graduation. Doris got her first driver’s license, and her first job outside the home. This was the time for Doris! She spent many happy years “bumming” with her many friends. She enjoyed going to restaurants, casinos, bingo games, weight loss meetings, swimming at the Central pool and many other places as well as playing cards or Yahtzee. Her most treasured times though, were spent with her daughters and their growing families. She loved being with all of them, eventually having 12 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughters: Barbara (Joseph) Pentek of Fond du Lac, Judy (Larry) Rammer of Sheboygan, Gail (Mark) Fessler of Lodi, Wisconsin, Debra (Bruce) Boettner of Sheboyan, and Kathy (Rene) Doucette of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and her son-in-law Ken (Sandy) Meinolf. She is further survived by her 12 grandchildren: Thomas (Amy) Pentek, Michael Meinolf (special friend Julie Shlyakhetko), Otto (Beth Kochinski) Rammer, Andrew (Nicole) Meinolf, Joseph (Jill) Pentek, Julie (James) Kiehl, Erica Fessler-Enders, Adam (Angie) Boettner, David (Christine) Pentek, David (Wyntir) Meinolf, Peter (Lisa) Boettner, and Marcus (Stephanie) Fessler, as well as 20 great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Gail (Chet) Jurkovac of Florida, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Janet Busch, brother Robert Ketz, and a daughter Sandra (Kenneth) Meinolf of Sheboygan, and one great granddaughter Trisha.
A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The family would like to express their love and appreciation to the staff at Cedar Grove Gardens assisted living for the wonderful care and warmth shown to Doris over the past three years.
Doris was a truly special lady. Her kindness and compassion for others knew no bounds. She loved her family passionately and always enjoyed seeing them and receiving their cards, drawings, and pictures. Her smile, laughter and love will be missed by all.