Peter and Jane Dorschel

Dorschel, Peter and Jane

Peter F. Dorschel, 99, of Green Bay, passed away peacefully at home on January 6, 2013 after a short illness. He rejoined his beloved Jane J. (Wohlfeil) Dorschel, his wife of more than 71 years, in heaven. Jane preceded Peter in death on May 21, 2011, also peacefully at home after a short illness.

Peter was born in Green Bay, WI, on January 13, 1913; and was the seventh and youngest child of Peter and Pauline (Schumacher) Dorschel. Jane was born on December 17, 1913, also in Green Bay; and was the only child of Louis and Carrie (Miller) Wohlfeil. Peter was a 1930 graduate of Green Bay East High School; and Jane was a graduate of Green Bay West High School in the class of 1931. They both went on to college. Peter began his college education at Notre Dame, but switched to UW Madison after two years. After college, Peter returned to Green Bay and started a successful career as a Master Appraiser in his own real estate company. Meanwhile, Jane went to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, and had a short career as a model before also returning home to Green Bay. After the both returned home, a friend introduced them, and they were married on November 25, 1939.

Both Peter and Jane were very active in community affairs. Jane was very involved in PEO, and held various offices in the organization over the years.

During WWII, Peter was a civilian contractor with the US Navy, and Jane was active as a volunteer in the American Red Cross Staff Assistance Corps. They moved to Indianhead, Maryland, where Peter worked in a powder factory. At one point, he was instrumental in catching three men who were attempting to sabotage the factory. When the war ended, they returned home, and were very active in the community.

Peter was an excellent swimmer, and won several city trophies growing up. He started swimming at a young age at the Columbus Club in downtown Green Bay. When he was 13, Peter swam five miles in the Fox River from De Pere to downtown Green Bay, leaving his swim coach far behind. This passion continued throughout Peter's life and is exemplified today in the Peter F. Dorschel Natatorium at the Kress Center at UWGB. He always enjoyed going to the Natatorium to see the team swim, and enjoyed knowing that so many people enjoyed the pool.

Avid Packer fans and stockholders, Peter and Jane could often be found at the games. Peter fondly remembered a young Curly Lambeau, who lived close to Peter growing up; being an "assistant" to an older cousin who was a water boy for some of the games' and games played at the Old City Stadium at East High School site. Peter and Jane were personal friends of Vince and Marie Lombardi, and spent many happy times with them both in Green Bay and in Florida. They traveled to Hawaii with Bart and Cherry Starr, and had many fond memories of Packer games and Superbowls. Touring Lambeau Field was always a favorite activity of Peter's. He was perhaps Lambeau's oldest tourist, still finding pleasure in the tours when he was 99 years old. Age didn't prevent Peter from attending a game in September against the Saints. Not only was he there for the game, he was there early to tailgate, and stayed until the UW Badger band finished the Fifth Quarter Show. His final tour of Lambeau Field came just over two weeks before his death, and just three weeks shy of his 100th birthday.

Peter and Jane also both enjoyed golfing, and both golfed well into their 90's. They were frequently seen at Oneida Golf and Country Club in Green Bay; and during the winter at both Little Club, and the Beach Club in Delray Beach, Florida.

Peter is survived by his nephews Griff (Jan) Dorschel, Madison, WI; Art (Karen) Helgerson, Minocqua, WI; a cousin, Joe Dorschel, De Pere.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Querin "Q" (Philomene and Gertrude), Clarance "Peg" (Grace), and Leonard "Lenny" (Alys) Dorschel; and three sisters, Louise (Arthur) Helgerson, Bernice Dorschel, and Mildred "Milly" (Peter) Gaffney.

Jane is survived by a cousin, Merrill Joire, Bethlehem, PA. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Friends and family are asked to gather at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 305 North Tenth Street, De Pere, WI on Friday, January 11, 2013 from 9am until 11am when a joint service for both Peter and Jane will be held with Rev. Dave Wilkinson of First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given to St. Norbert College.

The family would like to thank the many caregivers, especially Sandy, Shawn, and Soan, who took such excellent care of Peter in his later years.