Dorothy J. Stegner

Dorothy J. Stegner, age 92, passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Hospital.

Visitation will be at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Beaver Dam on Friday, March 28, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at the church beginning at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Will Arnold officiating. Burial will be at St. Patrick Cemetery in Beaver Dam.

Dorothy was born on November 25, 1932, in the Town of Beaver Dam to Earl and Gertrude (Rex) Hartl. On February 13, 1950, she was united in marriage with Edward P. Stegner at St. Patrick’s Church in Beaver Dam. Together they raised three children.

Dorothy started her work career at the age of 12 working at Behle Brothers Cheese Factory in Rolling Prairie. She also cleaned for Mrs. Behle and Mrs. Beck through high school. She graduated from Beaver Dam High School and worked at the outdoor theater and the Green Giant Factory for 14 summers. She then attended a one-semester course at Moraine Park Technical in the Ward Clerk program and worked for Lakeview and the Manor Nursing Homes for 20 years. After retiring, she worked as a house cleaner for several people. She loved doing farm, outdoor, and yard work. For many years, she had huge flower beds and a vegetable garden. She also enjoyed dancing, reading, baking, cleaning, and preparing holiday family dinners

Dorothy was a woman who knew what she wanted. She was determined and opinionated. Though she faced many challenges throughout her life, she was resilient.

Survivors include her children, Diane (Fred) Roadt of Eau Claire, Sharon (Terry) Dalton of Akron, OH, and Peter (Tammi) Stegner of Beaver Dam; grandchildren, Jennie Roadt (Paul Myren) of Eau Claire, Paul Roadt (Brittani Kopp) of Mondovi, Michael (Dana) Dalton of Akron, OH, Teresa Dalton of Akron, OH, Jessica (Tim) Shivley of Beaver Dam, and Jason (Sarah) Stegner of Burnett; great grandchildren, Sylvia Myren, Donnie Myren, Natalie Roadt, Keira Roadt, Gideon Roadt, Abigail Roadt, Natalie Shivley, Emily Shivley, Logan Shivley, Colton Stegner, and Samuel Stegner; sisters, Marion Kuehn of Chilton and Norene Morris of Monona; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brothers, Warren Hartl and Jerome Hartl; and sisters, Geraldine Hahn and Lois Miller.

The family would like to thank David Chapman, the staff at the Charleston House Assisted Living Facility, and the staff at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Hospital.

Dorothy requests that all memorials be made in her name to St. Katharine Drexel Parish, the Beaver Dam Community Library, or the Dodge County Humane Society.