Dolores (Lenz) Ulness died at age 94, on Sunday, August 10, 2014 while under the care of Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born June 26, 1920 to Joseph and Margaret Lenz in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Dolores was a graduate of Plymouth High School and Manitowoc Teachers County Normal School. Later in life she received a Bachelors Degree from Silver Lake College. Dolores dreamed of becoming a teacher from the time she was a child and that dream came true when she started teaching children in Manitowoc County Rural Schools, until her marriage to Oscar Ulness in May 1948. Dolores and Oscar made their home and raised a family of five children on a small farm located at 3504 County Road J, Valders Wisconsin, for nearly 60 years. Growing and tending flowers, reading countless books, interaction with friends, and community volunteering were activities Dolores enjoyed. Her dear friend, Helen Connolly, encouraged Dolores to return to a teaching career during the mid-1960’s, and they continued many years of friendship along with creative and dedicated experiences as teachers. During and after graduating from Silver Lake College, Dolores taught at St. Paul Catholic School in Manitowoc and her final years of teaching were in the Manitowoc School District where she was a First Grade Teacher, at Stangel Elementary School.
Dolores is survived by five children, Mary Kay Ulness, Carol Westphal (James), Christine Ulness, John Ulness (Pam), and Sarah Ulness; six grandchildren, Jennifer and Jessica Westphal, Erik Ulness (Annie), Kristian Ulness (Megan), Marit Atkinson (Ross) and Anders Ulness (Rebecca); along with five great grandchildren; Owen, Jens, and West Atkinsion and Elin and Lena Ulness. She was preceded in death by immediate family members including her husband; Oscar Ulness, brother; Donald Lenz, and parents; Margaret and Joseph Lenz.
Family and friends miss her infectious laugh, loving smile, gentle wisdom, never ending support, tasty family dinners, her incomparable strawberry shortcake, and sharing her unequaled joy of decorating her home for a festive Christmas Holiday Season. To view photos of Dolores Ulness’s life, to share a special memory, or convey expressions of sympathy, please visit the www.pfefferfuneralhome.com web site. Dolores requested no public memorial funeral service. A private family grave side internment is planned. Dolores was thankful for the caregivers in Changing Seasons section of Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center where they provided constant care, enjoyed her beautiful singing voice, shared friendship, and enjoyed many laughs together. Memorial donations may be submitted directly to Alzheimer’s Association at web address www.alz.org.

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