Charles "Zeke" Doll

To my beloved friend Zeke, we have known each other most of our adult lives, what I will always think of is your humor, funny stories and what a sincere friend you were, what one saw in you is what one got, always. I will always remember our Christmas dinners together with our families, some great times, Zeke my friend , rest in peace😘

Those of you that really know me have read my posts on Facebook in the past about my love of the ski hill life I have lead and of the 10s of thousands of people I've met, worked with and served through those beloved years please share with me the sadness of my post today. Every now and again someone enters your life and changes you and your attitude for ever. You don't see it coming, it just happens, as I look back I realize I'm fortunate I have met many such people and many of them because of my "Tyrol experience". Charles “ Zeke" Doll was one such person to touch me deeply. Zeke loved life, he loved Tyrol Basin and he loved his family dearly. Zeke had the sence of humor of a King, he had the comic timing of Johnny Carson and the dry whit second to none. Zeke worked as a supervisor for us every Saturday, Sunday and Monday night always there, always on time and always an uplifting presence. Zeke knew of my love of the stars, moon and weather and turned it into a comical skit he lovingly called "ask professor Lorenz" he'd come with questions and answers for us to perform over the radio, always halairous, he would come skiing on his time off and put a wig and women's clothes on and harassed the lifties as "The Owners Wife" I would laugh till I cried and the always popular "Ransid Crabtree" looking like an old bum he would ski treats of sausage and dried beef around to the lifties and at the end of the day start the rumor of the meat being road kill he would make into snacks again just hilarious. On a serious note when it was extremely cold outside Zeke would go to the kitchen get a tray of hot chocolate and deliver it to all the lifties at their stations, all 8 stations, always a great leader and friend of the working man. I could go on for hours telling you about Zeke, I won't but I wanted to share a friendship I was so fortunate to have shared over many years, I met Zeke's wife, children and grandchildren, all wonderful people. Back in January Zeke had a series of strokes and fought a courageous battle to gain back life as he knew it, it was not meant to be. Friday God called him home, home where he is once again happy and healthy, likely entertaining one and all. Zeke, thank you for the laughter and thank you for the friendship. Rest in Peace my friend. My heart is heavy, my memory is full... -Dave Lorenz

Hi Dad, It’s me your daughter, Marcy. Your little spuds bug. Your little girl. I’m so sorry you got sick and had to leave us. This was not what was supposed to happen. I was looking forward to more time with you. I’m not ready for you to leave me dad. I’ve always needed you. I still need you. I always will need you. I can’t imagine how my world will be without you. Right now it feels empty. You’re my strong dad who has always been there for me. My heart is broken. Is this even real? I want to thank you for being my dad. Thank you for loving me more than anyone possibly could. Thank you for holding my hand for all these 41 years. Thank you for making me happy when I was sad. For making me laugh. For drying my tears. Thank you for telling me that everything will be okay. I will never forget all of the moments we’ve shared and I cherish them all. Big and small, all of them so special, I hold them close to my heart. Cuddling on the couch and washing my hair when I was a little girl. Tucking me into bed every night and telling me stories you made up about me so I would have the sweetest dreams. Swimming together at the Middleton pool in the summer. Twirling me around and slow dancing in the kitchen to no music. Our figure skating routines. Holding my hand on hikes. Putting my worm on and taking my fish off the hook. Cruising around Lake Mendota water skiing and listening to the radio. Camping every summer up north. Listening to Beatles songs together for hours and sharing your favorites with me. Picking me up all those nights at bar time and giving me a ride home. Telling me the truth that boys are stupid. Walking me down the aisle on my wedding day and dancing our father daughter dance. Going to all of my races. Cheering me on. Being so proud of all the work I have done. Being my number one fan. I will miss your jokes. Nobody can tell a story or joke like you can dad. The purple gorilla story never got old and was always a favorite. The fraid knot, mustard/custard joke were also some of my favorites. One other joke I’m going to miss but was unintentional was your classic “dad” footwear: the white socks with sandals and more recently your crocks. Hahaha. But really dad, I’m going to miss you. I am going to miss going in for a hug and you telling me that I am a foolish girl and then you hold me tight and won’t let go. I will never let go. Love you forever dad dad dadio.

Zeke, we’ve been neighbors for close to twenty years and throughout those years you and Mary Anne have given me so much joy. As I have gotten to know you over those years, I came to enjoy and always looked forward to shooting the breeze with you, listening to all your jokes, your storytelling, teasing me, and hearing about how proud you were of your wife, children and grandchildren. You were second to none. The strong marriage you had with Mary Anne created out of love built a home, family, and extended friendships--a legacy that always be part of us. I will miss our junket tours on Sunday mornings with Mary Anne and our backyards will never be the same without you. Your heart of gold will live on forever and whenever we think of you, a big smile will cross our faces as your positive personality will lighten our day. Janet

Mary Ann and family Dave & I were so sorry to hear the sad sad news about Zeke....our hearts are broken for all of you..Life takes us for a ride that we don't always want to happen.....Take care of each ,,,Hugs to all of you,,,Your old neighbors Dave & Karen Hellenbrand p.s. feel our hugs