Dorothy Joanne Giltner

Giltner, Dorothy J.- Madison Mom was doing so well a short time ago. However she did want us to help her write her obituary. And our lives being so full, we didn't do it right then. We thought there was time. It was one of the few things on her to-do list that she did not accomplish. Even in death, sometimes the best person to get a task done is oneself. But Mom struggled putting her thoughts into words near the end. However if she could have written this herself we think it may have gone something like this... "I left this world on the eve of our 65th wedding anniversary, so that I could be with the love of my life. After being physically apart for 15 years, I walked down the aisle once again to take his hand. I died at home from a variety of ailments on June 16, 2015 at the age of 83. Parkinson's disease being the biggest culprit. It was a beautiful sunny day and I was surrounded by my children. I was born in Madison WI to loving parents, Charles & Ruth (Viken) Stoneking on September 2, 1931. I was the first and only child (I guess I was just that perfect). They raised me in a small town (Sun Prairie WI). They taught me to appreciate family, friends and love of life. Speaking of that, I met the love of my life on a cold Saturday night in 1949 at Turner Hall (it was the place to go for dancing). I was with my friends. He was with his. He was from a place he called Montfort. He seemed like quite a character, but gosh we did both like to dance! The night came to an end and in the parking lot he asked if he could call me. I said yes and he wrote my number in the frost on his car window. Many times he told this story and always said "Good thing I didn't have defrosters back then, or we may never have created all this (and he would reference the family around us). But that night I wondered if I would hear from him again. Well, I did, but I still had my doubts about this young man when he didn't pick me up for a roller skating date. Somehow it all worked out. Long story short, he proposed to me somewhere near the railroad tracks in Montfort. And on a night out dancing he gave me a ring. I'm not sure where in that timeline he asked my father, but I know he did. We got married on June 17, 1950. We spent the rest of our lives surrounded by the seven children with which we were blessed. We worked hard, stretched every dollar and made the most of what we had. It was a wonderful era to raise a family. And friends were plentiful and true. Pete & Ellie Peterson were there before we got married and the friendship grew stronger every year. We lost Ellie in 2007. Pete was one of my last visitors. I wanted to tell him how special they were but the words didn't all come out. Tom & Eileen Meichtry were our neighbors in the early years and became so so much more. Eileen truly was the sister I never had. She was one of my last phone calls. Again my words didn't all come out, but she said everything I was feeling. There should be a word better than "friend" for these four individuals. Throughout the years we enjoyed many great friends, dancing, camping, playing cards, dancing, grandchildren, family gatherings and dancing. I also had a love for knitting, crocheting, and cooking. Recently I cherished my wonderful neighbors and I was so happy to have attended the Sun Prairie Class of 49 Reunion last year. After the loss of my parents in 1988 & 1993, and after the loss of that above mentioned love of my life, George (Gene) Giltner in 2000, my 7 children and their spouses, my 11 grandchildren and their partners, and my dear dear 15 great-grandchildren have given me more joy than I can express in words. But as in any great story there was more recent heartache as well. The loss of my grandson John Kautz in 2012 was unexpected and truly unbearable. I am sure that my family members know in their hearts that I will live on through each and every one of them... Georgia (the eldest) & Ron Kautz- You set the example for your siblings. Marriage. Commitment. Family. Hard work. Thank you. Larry (the first born son)- No Mother could ever wish for more than what you have given me. You are a blessing. I Thank You. Barbara (my housemate in the final years)- What would we have done without you. You have been through so much. Bless you dear. Carolyn (the poor middle child- her words) & Jim Burke- They say that God doesn't give more challenges in our lives than He knows we can handle. He must know you two are strong, very strong. Bless you. Tim (the handsome one- his words) & Anna- Your very full life had taken you too far from home, but distance is no match for this family. I am glad you are close again. Maybe the two of you can be the reason for the next big family celebration. Love you. Jill (the cute one- Don's words) & Don Paus- You have worked so hard combining the Mother & Grandmother tasks. The girls are so fortunate to have you. Take some time to breath. Take some time for yourself. Love you. Last but certainly not least, Tina (our rock) & John Brendler- You don't always have to be the strong one. But I was so very thankful every day. Don't worry about the family drifting apart now that I am away. That won't happen. Bless you. Thank you. Love you. And to Dan (& Jen), Kris (& Jeff), Nichole (& Scott), Tony (& Melissa), Ryan (& Ashley), Melissa (& Troy), Rick (& Mitch), Sam (& Sean), Tyler, Joshua (& Jenny)- There is a little piece of me in every one of you. Live your lives to the fullest. May all your turns be the right ones. Chase your dreams. Life is too short. Find happiness. Hug your children. I love you all so much. And the future! The children that can change the world, my great grandchildren- Sara, Pete, Sky, Jewel, Faith, Cattalina, Hayden, Savannah, Easton, Hailey, Stormy, Shelby, Maddy, Kylie, Mason. And a great-grand-daughter on the way. I love you all so much. I'll be watching over you, my darlings. I'll see you grow and become who you are destined to be. Be good. Be silly. Be honest. Be kind. Hug your parents. And a special thank you to Dr. Musa (you know how special you are) and your wonderful team. Especially Nurse Tama. Also Dr. Mangin and the Agrace Hospice team. "Thank You" just doesn't seem like enough. You made my burdens a little lighter and that eased my children's worries a bit. I thank you. Bless you all. Well, that is it. I was born. I blinked. And now my part is over. No building was named after me. No monuments erected in my honor. But I did have the most wonderful life. To know and love each and every member of this family and also many wonderful friends and neighbors. How much more blessed could one woman be! Don't cry sad tears. Today I am happy. I have no pain. Your father and I are probably dancing. The man of my dreams. Think of us often, with happiness. We're just beyond the moon." Funeral Services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 26th, 2015. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace Hospice Care or the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420