Dora ""DJ"" Svetnicka

MADISON- Dora ""DJ"" Svetnicka, age 79, of Madison peacefully passed on Monday, February 28, 2011, in a circle of friends, family and a compassionate staff at the UW Hospital.

She was born in Madison, WI on January 28, 1932 to Sid and Jeanette (Halley) Tallard. She was married to Al Schorr in 1948 and worked at Tallard's Station on University Avenue.

She found her soul mate Jerry Svetnicka near the juke box at Jack & Joe's (now Oak Crest). They married in 1962. They danced on, were companions & loved life together for 21 years. They celebrated good times & holidays with the Svetnicka family until Jerry's passing in 1983. She enjoyed her work at Tripp Gatehouse where she met her first Badger Buddie. Later she was the resident manager at the Capital Center Apartments. She loved her work, made many friends and was honored for her excellent service.

She loved all her Badger sports especially football, basketball and was a life long Red Sox fan. She loved the Wisconsin Marching Band, ""the best band in the land"". She travelled to many Bowl games, Winter Olympics & the Super Bowl at New Orleans. She was given a ""CRASH"" helmet because the basketball players kept landing in her lap during the game. She sat with her ""Partner in Crime"" (Barb) who was nicknamed ""FLASH"". She also enjoyed bowling, euchre and attending the infamous Hen Parties where she got her Bucky Badger tattoo.

She loved her family very much. She vacationed with Jerry & Hans in Biloxi and Florida. She spent Christmas in Arizona with her son where she explored the Superstition Mountains. After her daughters Beverly and Barbara moved to California she had many exciting adventures camping & hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. When her daughters moved to Hawaii she was glad to have family to visit in the warm tropical sun.

Dora is survived by her daughters, Beverly Schorr and Barbara (Schorr) Barnes; and son, Hans Svetnicka. One sister, Barbara (Tallard) Johnson, her children, Rob, John, Rick, Julie & Jeannie. Two brothers, Bob Tallard, his children, David, Jeff, Susie, Chris, Mimi, Margie, Eddie and Charlie. Ed Tallard and wife, Vivian, children, Kathy, Patty, Sid, Terry, Robin & Laurie. Four grandchildren, Carrie Daskalos, Nathan Barnes, Buffy Barnes and Naomi (Barnes) Lipsky. Seven great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She also loved her numerous great nieces and nephews. Nine Badger Buddie Bob Landsee, Greg Thomas, Joe Armentrout, David Greenwood, Rob Estka, Mike Howard, Rich Thompson, David Ahrens & Jay Macias. And one purrrrfect cat - Rainbow.

Dora was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; parents, Sid and Jeannette Tallard; sister-in-law, Gail Tallard; brother-in-law, Bob Johnson; and grandson, Sierra.

Please join us in a ""Celebration of Life""on Saturday, March 5, from 1pm until 5pm, at Marriot West, 1313 John Q Hammond Dr., Middleton, WI (Hiway 12-West) 608-831-2000. In Dora's honor - Badger attire allowed. In lieu of flowers please send donations to: U.W. Foundation/Marching Band Fund. Please note - ""In memory of Dora Svetnicka"" and can be mailed to: University of Wisconsin Foundation, Attn: Rudie Flietner, 1848 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53726-4090.