Dorothy J Schmook

Dorothy's Livestream Service will begin at 12 noon CST on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. There are two ways to join the Live Webcast: 1. Scroll down to the Events, under the Livestream Service click on "Watch Event" 2. Click on tribute wall (above) and click on "Live Webcast" MADISON - Dorothy Jean (Davel) Schmook passed away peacefully, on Sunday, April 25, 2021, from natural causes. Dorothy, the youngest of eleven children, was born on April 19, 1927, to Albert and Florence Davel in Loyal, Wis. (go Greyhounds!). After graduation in 1944, Dorothy moved to the big city, Milwaukee, for a year of school where, outside the classroom, she enjoyed local dance halls, sipping 10 cent cokes with friends and cutting a rug with WWII-bound sailors from nearby Great Lakes Naval Station. War’s end found Dorothy in Marshfield, Wis., studying diligently at St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing, from which she graduated in 1948. Thinking Madison would have better job opportunities, her instincts proved 100% correct when she was hired by St. Mary’s Hospital on the day she applied. Dorothy worked at St. Mary’s for 40 years, the majority of those spent in the nursery and caring for post-partum moms. 1948 proved a game-changer for Dorothy in one other respect, when she agreed to a blind date with Alvin Schmook. The two hit it off, marrying in 1950; a happy, loving marriage that lasted until Al died in 2000. Dorothy and Al had six children, all who survive her: Kathy (George) Lightbourn, Karen (Clark) Boettcher, Peggy Schmook, Bob (Nancy Graham) Schmook, Tom (Amy) Schmook and Amy (Phil) Scarr. Dorothy is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Steve Lightbourn, Katie Lightbourn, Anna Anderson, Tom Boettcher, Lia Badman, Doug Boettcher, Heather Parks, Nathan Parks, Gretchen Schmook, Tammy Schmook, Erica Schmook, Eric Scarr and Leksi Scarr; and 10 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her sister, Jane Simpson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; her parents; and nine brothers and sisters. Dorothy spent her life making others happy, but didn’t leave herself out! Her warmth and easy-going manner created countless friendships in her 94 years. She spent many happy hours playing cards. It might’ve been in Las Vegas or at the Monona Senior Center, but more likely you’d find her playing poker with her lady chums, one card club staying intact for 50 years. However, cribbage was her game and she relished outclassing her kids, and their kids, over and over again. Dorothy was a longtime member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona. She volunteered at IHM, working the annual church picnic, singing in the funeral choir, and, in her later years, cutting box tops for school fundraisers. Her volunteerism didn’t stop at the church door either. After retiring from St. Mary’s in 1988, she volunteered there for better than 20 more years. She and Al, through the Catholic Church, spent many years providing meals for the homeless while also delivering Meals on Wheels. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 12 noon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. Visitation will be held at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (https://www.ihmcatholicparish.org/) or Monona Senior Center (https://mymonona.com/251/Senior-Center) in her name. Our family cannot begin to express the depth of our loss; of our mom, our grandma, and great-grandma, who was the sunshine in our day. Dorothy Schmook was warm, open, loving, and fun-so much fun! Her smile was unmistakably genuine; her delight in family and friends, unconcealed. Online condolences may be left at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420