Dorothy Pohlman

Pohlman, Dorothy Louise (Rentschler)

Dorothy passed away on Thursday, October 27, 2021, at age 91. Dottie was born on November 20, 1929, to George and Dorothy Rentschler in Madison, WI. Dottie’s husband Pete and son-in-law Tom called her Louise, but most knew her as Dottie, although she answered to Dorothy, Dot, Dottie Lou, mom, Grandma.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin Dottie married Everett “Pete” Pohlman on September 19, 1953. This began a lifelong journey of love, adventure and raising three children – Linda, Diane, and Peter together.

Pete’s thirty years in the Air National Guard gave them the connections to travel extensively to virtually every corner of the world. As Dottie would be quick to tell you it was very much no frills but all the more memorable and enjoyable none the less. This allowed Dottie to amass an impressive collection of fine handkerchiefs reflective of each country visited. Many of these are framed or immortalized in quilt form and hang as art in her home.

In 1979 Pete retired and they moved to Door County, a long-time family favorite place. For several years they were the Innkeepers at Liberty Park Lodge before retiring to their condo behind Al Johnson’s in Sister Bay. As health needs dictated Dottie and Pete moved to Sun Prairie to be closer to family and enjoyed frequent visits with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, joining in family feasts as able. She stayed alert and oriented to the end, enjoying these visits and even a bus outing to see the Fall colors less than 2 weeks before her death.

As with any good parent Dottie didn’t have a favorite child except everyone knew it was Peter, the youngest and only boy. Unfortunately, Peter died much too young in December of 2016. This devastating blow was compounded by Pete’s death just months later.

Dottie is survived by Linda (Tom) Morrison and their two daughters, Mandi (Jeremy) Buehl and Cassie (Mark) Retzlaff and great-grandchildren Thomas and Margaret Buehl and Caleb Retzlaff and Diane Ziolkowski and her four sons, Derek (Channing) Alden, Neil Ziolkowski, Grant Ziolkowski (Claire DeBoer), and Reid Ziolkowski and great- grandchildren Will and Louisa Alden and Alma DeBoer-Ziolkowski. She is further survived by her sister Jane Rohr and many nieces and nephews.

Door County truly became their home so Dottie’s ashes will be placed next to Pete’s in front of their joint headstone at their little country church together forever.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Sun Prairie Health Care Center for their wonderful care of Dottie.

Dottie’s life will be celebrated at Cress Funeral Home, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie on Saturday, November 6, 2021, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm.

Mask mandate and social distancing guidelines will be observed.