Doris Marie Fuelle

Born in Philadelphia, PA to Hannah (Thomas) and Adam Kalis. Doris grew up in Milwaukee Wisconsin until 1937. As WW2 clouds loomed, her father moved the family to the small farming community of Pound, WI. There she met her husband to be, Leland Fuelle, the boy next door. Lee helped Doris her with schoolwork, math in particular! They wed on June 7, 1947 and started their family. The same year, Doris graduated from Bellin College as a Cadet Nurse. She was an RN/scrub nurse in the state. In the 60’s she worked at Madison’s VA hospital.

The couple moved into a trailer park in Oregon, Wisconsin while Lee finished his business degree at UW Madison (CPA). After their first child, Steve, they moved to Charles Lane in Madison WI. Two more children later they built their dream home in the Hill Farms area of Madison.

Doris loved garage sales, antiquing, orchids, the stock market (Cramer!), spending time with friends, attending any sporting/music event that her family was a part of, and ice cream (Dairy Queen banana splits!). She was an accomplished figure skater and professional judge for many regional skating competitions (member Figure Skating Club of Madison). She insisted her husband and sons construct a small outdoor ice rink in the yard during the winter months, allowing her to practice figures daily.

Doris was a prolific doll collector/dealer. In the 90’s she owned her own doll shop in Middleton called Doll Heaven. She was affectionately known as the Doll Lady of Hill Farms. Sometimes she would display her dolls at her son Steve’s restaurant, Herreman’s, in Sun Prairie. She outfitted a large Econoline van to carry her and her inventory to various shows throughout the Midwest. She attended national doll shows across the country including Anaheim, San Diego, New Orleans, and New York. Her award-winning dolls were entered in many competitions and put up for sale.

Doris and Lee sought to buy a summer cottage for their family in the northern portion of the state. They partnered with a small group of investors and purchased a resort complex in Washburn County on Long Lake – “Walleye Capitol of the World”. After a time, they sold their share of that property and acquired their own cabin further down the lake. Many wonderful memories were shared there - fishing, boating, tubing, water skiing, kayaking, and canoeing. 

Husband Leland Fuelle in 1986, sons Bradley Fuelle in 2006, Steve Fuelle in 2009, sisters Gloria Collins, Jane Kalis and brother John Kalis preceded Doris in death. She is survived by her son Randy Fuelle of San Diego, seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held at Cress Funeral Home at 3610 Speedway Rd in Madison, Wisconsin at 12 noon on Friday, October 11. Graveside service will be immediately following at Forest Hill Cemetery.