Dorothy Eleanor Palecek, 101, of Schofield, died Sunday, November 20, 2022, at Renaissance

Assisted Living. She was born January 10, 1921, in rural Stratford, one of 9 children, to Ella

and Emil Weichelt.

After graduating from Marathon County Normal School in 1940, she worked as the sole

teacher in a one room school house in Green Valley, WI. Dorothy married Eugene Palecek

in June, 1943. She is survived by three children: Ellen (Mike) Burek, Paul (Evelyn) Palecek,

both of Schofield, and Jane Palecek of San Francisco; four grandchildren, Cristie, Cathy,

Sean and Patrick; eight great grandchildren; sisters Patricia (John) Mulholland of NYC, and

Marge Handrick of Washington state.

In 1960 Dorothy and Gene founded K&M Electric of Schofield, Inc. Dorothy managed the

office and books. Under Dorothy's watch, everyone turned in their time sheets promptly.

Their son Paul joined the business in 1971; his son, Patrick, joined in 2007.

Dorothy and Gene travelled extensively and visited more than 40 countries. They also

enjoyed time at their cottage on Clear Lake, WI. Somehow she made it seem effortless to

work all week, organize food, then fetch the grandchildren in "Big Buck," the station wagon,

for weekends at the lake.

Dorothy was a private person and spent much time reading one of the library books always

stacked on her living room table. But mention a card game and she was in - animated,

competitive, teasing in the nicest way. Of course she always won.

She was tiny, but mighty. Fiercely loyal. Strong. Honest. A sassy sense of humor. Quick to

recognize and call out the absurd. And she made the world's best pies.

Her young children often complained that she was bossy, and were intimidated by her steely

gaze, what they called "her look." On Dorothy's first day teaching school at Green Valley, she

learned the older boy students planned to lock her in the outhouse. It only took "the look" to

freeze their plans in place. We wish she was here to give us "the look" while telling us to eat

our peas, one last time.

A service for Dorothy will be held at the John J. Buettgen funeral home on Friday,

December 2. Visitation is from 12:30 to 2:00 pm, followed by a prayer service from 2:00 to

2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers please donate to The Neighbor's Place food pantry or to Newman

Catholic Schools.

The family thanks the Renaissance Assisted Living of Weston for their kindness and

compassionate care, and especially for their love.

John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time.  Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com