Dolores J. Schuelke

Dolores J. (Baniszewski) Schuelke, formerly a resident of Wautoma and Milwaukee, peacefully went to be with the Lord at the age of 94 on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at her daughter’s home in West Bend, Wisconsin, where she had been living since 2018. Dolores is preceded in death by her husband Albert, eldest son Keith, brothers John, Ronald and Donald. She is survived by children: Daniel (Joan), Adine, Eric (Deborah), Penny, Ann (Keith) and half-sister Patricia; grandchildren: Brett, Marla (Brad), Jamin, Evan, Rebecca, Ethan (Samantha), Kenneth, and Brandon (fostered), along with 8 great-grandchildren and she was given 2 great-great grandchildren and survived by many 0ther relatives.

Dolores was the only daughter of John and Florence Baniszewski born on the 25th of December in 1929 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in an attic across the street from a nunnery. A Christmas Baby. Dolores’ mother ran a restaurant & boarding house in Milwaukee in the 1940’s where apart from helping raise her younger twin brothers, Dolores had as much responsibility that a young lady of 16 could handle. But this relationship was interrupted by a young ex-soldier, Albert H. Schuelke who came to board there after being discharged from the Army at the end of WWII.

Dolores happened to be dating a sailor at the time, but apparently Albert had other plans for this 16 year old maiden and must have discerned that the other relationship was “up-in-the air” and he “threw caution to the wind”. Albert wooed Dolores on his Indian motorcycle. Next 2 pictures in our album were one of Dolores and her mother shopping for a wedding dress and the other was Albert standing in-front of their new digs, in Milwaukee 6 months after they met. Albert ran a body-shop with an Army buddy while Mom was home being domestic. The two love-birds had 3 long years before their first child (Keith) came along and then the rest is history.

Mom and Dad bought their first home in St. Francis, Wisconsin when they were about to deliver their 3rd child. They spent the next 30 some years there before moving to Wautoma, WI. While in St. Francis, Mom was very active in the community as a cub-scout leader and PTA member. As neighbors bought homes next-door and across the street, on May 1st Mom would send us to put a gift in their front doorknob, ring the bell and run, as a “Welcome to the Neighborhood” package before they commercialized it. Penny said Mom chased down the garbage men with fresh lemon-aide. Dolores was the ready-made “Welcome Wagon” of the neighborhood.

Above all, Dolores’ greatest passion was to sing (especially to the Lord). Mom had a fantastic voice and was in every church choir we attended. Choir took precedence even over Christmas and her own Birthday present opening. Albert and Dolores were a real match made in heaven. Dad built a stereo cabinet and assembled the phonograph and Mom picked out and played the music. We had Ernie Ford and Mitch Miller sing-a-long albums. The Harmona-cats, Instrumentals, Country, Perry Como. Musicals-The Sound of Music. Oklahoma. I can hear her singing “Doe a Deer a Female Deer” and …Ooooklahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plain!

As the neighborhood changed and the older kids moved out, Mom still had Eric and Penny home. Dolores and Albert had to become more creative in raising the second wave. Their world came full-circle. It began with Dad courting Mom on the Indian motorcycle, so it was fitting it end with motorcycles. Mom started it with a Honda4 as repayment for a debt. Dad not being out done bought the 1st BMW. Then one for Mom. Pretty soon Mom, Dad, Eric and Penny were taking camping trips with their BMW motorcycle club members. I’m sure Eric and Penny have some great stories. 

I think I neglected to tell you that Dolores was a prayer warrior. Mom prayed for all her family and friends. Those prayers were many times instantly answered. But, Dolores had multiple other talents. Crafts were done for every season, celebration and holiday. Mom went back to school in 1983 to attain her High School diploma and went on from there to get her certificate as a Counselor of Battered Women. Being members of the Wisconsin BMW Club, Dolores knitted BMW sweaters for many of the members. Knitting branched into multiple Green Bay Packer sweaters, afghans, scarves, mittens, baby hats and booties and many washcloths. Mom was one of the most generous people I have ever known.

Dolores’ last 2 plus years here in West Bend on Hospice proved to be as fitting as her early years. Everyone that served her absolutely loved her smile and cheerful demeanor. Nick names like, “Pretty Lady” and “Sweetheart” were often given her by her nurses and caregivers. The Aurora Hospice Team was phenomenal. Special appreciation to Penny’s neighbors, Tobi, Mya, United Co-op of Westfield, Rite-Hite Corp. of Milwaukee.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held by Pastor Brian D. Rohde at Trinity Lutheran Church, 121 W. Elm St. Wautoma, WI 54982 on Saturday, July 2o, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. with visitation at the Church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services. Interment will be at Wautoma Union Cemetery, State Road 152, followed by a luncheon and fellowship at Trinity Lutheran Church.