Dorothy A. Kroenke, age 92 of Shawano, died on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 in the Town of Belle Plaine. Dorothy was born on August 13, 1922 in Shawano, the daughter of the late David and Aurelia (Moede) Beversdorf. She grew up on a farm and as a teenager was the Shawano county Dairy Princess as well as earning a scholarship to the Teacher's College at Stevens Point where she worked in the college library. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor she returned home to work. On February 13, 1943, Dorothy was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Irvin Kroenke, with whom she shared 70 years of marriage. Irvin preceded her in death on June 3, 2013. Dorothy was a loving and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, friend, relative and member of her church and community. She loved life and her family and had a gentle way of helping and encouraging others. She was always the "go-to" person who not only cooked the meals for the family but also for the farm and building crews. She also kept the books and ran for parts and materials for the family business. Dorothy loved children and was the babysitter of choice and the preferred sick caregiver for her grandchildren. She was an avid reader and lover of music, films, poetry, square dancing, bird watching, trips to the cabin, attending the games and concerts of her grandchildren, and sharing meals or a good laugh with family and friends. Dorothy enjoyed reciting the poems of Robert Service, Poet of the Yukon, and felt a special connection to Alaska where she travelled on two occasions. She also loved music and faithfully attended the first 34 years of the Shawano Folk Music Festival. Dorothy, Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma: We miss you and your positive gentle loving spirit. Rest in peace. Dorothy is survived by her children, Kathy (Dennis) Fonger, Michael (Val McQuade) Kroenke and Joel Kroenke all of Shawano, 6 grandchildren, Tanya (Dave) Jensen, Jason (Christy) Fonger, Seth (Jeelan) Kroenke, Shannon Kroenke, Sara Kroenke and Ryan Kroenke, 9 great-grandchildren, Hunter, Morgan, and Trevor Jensen, Logan, Ashlyn, Mason and Sierra Kroenke, Tessa Fonger and Taylor Habeck. She is further survived by 2 sisters, Deloris (Jack) Bain of Menomonee Falls and Jean (Ray) Klebesadel of Green Bay as well as 1 brother-in-law, Robert Echtner. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Irvin, her parents, 2 sisters, Phyllis Echtner and Mary Beversdorf and 1 brother-in-law, Don Moesch. A memorial service for Dorothy will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at St. Jakobi Lutheran Church in the Town of Richmond with Rev. Travis Keinschmidt officiating. Burial will be in St Jakobi Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:30 am until the time of the memorial service. Gifts in memory of Dorothy can be made to the following: Shawano County Historical Society Country Church Fund, St. Jakobi Lutheran Church Building Fund or Shawano County 4-H Program. The family would like to extend sincere thanks to Mary Schroeder, Val McQuade, Wendy Nizinski and the other staff at Maple Lane Nursing Home as well as Heartland Hospice Care for their kindness and support. We would also like to thank all the others who shared songs and prayers or otherwise touched Dorothy's life in special ways. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com