Dolores 'Dee' M. Meek

LODI - Dolores (Dee) Mary Rataczak Meek passed away peacefully at Sterling House of Middleton with the services of Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on June 21, 1928 in Fond du Lac Wisconsin, daughter of Frank and Stella (Beyer) Rataczak. Her early years were spent in Sturgeon Bay with her mother and sister Mary at the home of their maternal grandparents, John and Veronica Beyer. Dolores attended St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Sturgeon Bay. The next two years were spent at Door-Kewaunee Normal school in Algoma. Her next step was as a teacher in the one room rural Tornado School in southern Door County. She then continued her education at Central State Teachers College (now UW-Stevens Point). After receiving her Bachelors in Education, she taught 3rd grade in Lodi. She then went back to Kaukauna and taught at Nicolet School, another one room schoolhouse. She returned to Lodi and continued to teach 3rd grade. In 1975, she received her Masters in Library Science from UW-Madison. About that time the new elementary school in Lodi was built, complete with an IMC (library). Dee completed her 38 ½ year teaching career in Lodi as the director of the IMC. On July 17, 1955, Dee married Robert (Bob) Meek and they made their home as the fourth generation of Meek farmers on the Arlington Prairie in rural Lodi. Bob and Dee remained on the farm until 1991 when they built their retirement home on Vilas Hibbard Parkway in Lodi. As they were among some of the early settlers there, they enjoyed watching the area develop. 14 happy years were spent there until Bob passed away in 2005. Her health made another move necessary this time to Sterling House in Middleton, an assisted-living facility. Dee enjoyed living at Sterling House and made many new friends there that became her extended family. They spent many wonderful times enjoying natures beauty and the antics of the little critters seen from the big back porch. Dee also looked forward to visits from her many friends outside of the house. Dee was a member of the Lodi Woman’s Club/Omniana Department and was on the Lodi Public Library Board for many years. She is survived by her son John (Rachel) Meek and granddaughter Ashley, Madison. She is also survived by her sister Mary Cardinal, brother-in-law Lorraine, foster son Jim (Barb) Baka and many nieces, nephews, family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her brother-in-law, LaMoine Cardinal and sister-in-law, Elinor Meek. She was also preceded in death by Ray and Ruth Dexeheimer and their son Roger who she and Mary lived with after their mother passed away. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH 521 Fair St. Lodi. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 24, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the HAMRE GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME 157 S. Main St. Lodi and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the mass on Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare, St. Patrick’s Church, Lodi and the Lodi Public Library. Hamre Gunderson Funeral & Cremation Care 157 S. Main St. Lodi, 608-592-3201 www.gundersonfh.com Cemetery: Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Lodi, immediately following the Mass. Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare, St. Patrick’s Church, Lodi and the Lodi Public Library. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 24, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the HAMRE GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME 157 S. Main St. Lodi and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the mass on Tuesday at the church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH 521 Fair St. Lodi.