Dorothy Brassington

1930 - 2021

Brassington, Dorothy

MIDDLETON - Dorothy Brassington, 91, of the town of Middleton, died Oct. 23, 2021, after a brief illness. She was born Dorothy Anderson on Feb. 11, 1930, the youngest of four children to Martin and Elsie Anderson. Her mother died when she was three. Before her father's death in 1939 she was raised on Madison's near east side. Between 1939 and 1946 she was raised largely by her older sister, Ilona, and her husband, John Reinke.

At the end of World War II Dorothy married her true love, Lynn Brassington (1928-2010), and began a 65-year marriage. They settled down in the Madison area, first in a small house on Walter Street, then a lakeside house on the north edge of Lake Mendota. The years spent on Lake Mendota are still recalled fondly by the family. The water was clear, and the fishing was excellent. The hunting you could do in those days added an amazing outdoorsy experience. The family finally settled into their permanent home on the land of the Brassington farm in the town of Middleton in 1968.

While Lynn spent almost 40 years on the road driving for Oscar Mayer, Dorothy worked at the Stamm House in Middleton. She waitressed while all of the boys spent time cleaning and cooking fish for the legendary Stamm House family style fish fries.

Family was most important to Dorothy and the Brassingtons over the years. All major holidays included time spent at Lynn and Dorothy's, as well as several other gatherings during the year, either with or without a specified reason. Euchre, country music and lively conversation were common as siblings, extended family, children (and later, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,) gathered "up at the house," for Badgers and Packers games, Brewers baseball, NASCAR races, or "just 'cause."

After retirement, the Brassingtons were able to spend more time with family and friends doing the same things which had shaped their earlier years. They were able to travel more. And they enjoyed day trips to various casinos in the region on an occasional basis. Dorothy gradually acquired computer skills and eventually learned to enjoy staying in contact with friends and relatives through email and Facebook.

Lynn and Dorothy were especially devoted to their grandchildren. The generous amount of time they invested in each of them left a lasting impression on all of them and created a strong lifelong bond among them all. Dorothy was able to spend the rest of her life in the home she and Lynn built in 1968. This allowed them to keep the family close, both physically and emotionally.

As she got older Dorothy stayed as active as she could. She enjoyed cooking and remained devoted to as much around the house as she could manage. The trips away from the house became less frequent and closer to home. She treasured the time she spent with family and literally lived for their visits to the house.

Dorothy was preceded in death by husband, Lynn (1928-2010); and all of her siblings, Ralph, Ilona, and Dick.

She is survived by her children, Randy (Ceil), Mike, Dave (Jan), and Sue (Carl); grandchildren, Sheri, Wendy (Rod), Garrett (Nikki), and Zach; and great-grandchildren, Bryce, Blake, Marina and Presley.

Interment will be a private family service. A celebration of life will be announced shortly on the Ryan Funeral Home website and on Dorothy's Facebook page. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Verona Chapel

220 Enterprise Drive

(608) 845-6625