Dorothy Burghardt Obituary

Dorothy M. Burghardt, age 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 20, 2023, with her loving family by her side at Aspire Senior Living, in Oshkosh. She was born August 14, 1937, in Trout Creek, MI, daughter of the late W. Joseph and Erna (Graebel) McClellan. Dorothy married Donald Burghardt on November 16, 1957, at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, in Wauwatosa, WI. Together they celebrated 65 years of marriage. They were blessed with six children, eleven grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Dorothy retired from Kimberly-Clark Corporation in 2000 after working for many years in Capital Recovery/Purchasing. Don and Dorothy enjoyed their cottage on Lake Winneconne, and traveling the Gulf Coast and throughout Texas pulling their fifth-wheel camper and making many dear friends along the way. Dorothy enjoyed crocheting, machine knitting, gardening, fishing, and spending time with family and friends. She was a long-time member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Neenah, enjoying many Wednesday mornings with the Quilting Ladies. Dorothy will be deeply missed by her loving husband, Donald; their children: Dale (Deb) Burghardt, Dann (Laurie) Burghardt, Debbie (Terry) Birkholz, Donna Penterman; grandchildren: Melissa (Mack) Butzen, Josh Burghardt, Krysta (Ryan) Ruegsegger, Christina and Olivia Burghardt, Nicole (Caitlin), Jason (Becca), and Logan Birkholz, Sarah (Michael) Menard, Emily and Jonathan Penterman; great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Menard, Parker Ruegsegger and Blake Butzen; sister, Charlotte Harrison; brother, Jerry (Linda) McClellan; four sisters-in-law: Karen McClellan, Carol McClellan, Shirley Groeshel, JoAnn Lindquist; brother-in-law, Doug (Laurie) Burghardt; and many nieces; nephews and other relatives and friends. Dorothy was preceded in death by infant twin daughters: Mary and Ann; her in-laws, Walter and Gertrude Burghardt; sister, Pat (Ed) Cowles; two brothers: Bob and Don McClellan; three brothers-in-law: Bruce (Joyce) Burghardt, Russ (Joan) Burghardt, Stan Lindquist; and a sister-in-law, Marion Burghardt. The funeral service for Dorothy will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 140 S. Green Bay Road, Neenah, WI 54956 with Rev. Niveen Sarras officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until the hour of the service. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Aspire Senior Living, and AseraCare Hospice, for the loving care and kindness shown to Dorothy and her Family.