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Dorothy Kuhnau Obituary
Dorothy E. Kuhnau
February 25, 1943 - May 8, 2025
Sauk Prairie - Dorothy E. Kuhnau, age 82, of Sauk City, Wis., passed away on May 8, 2025. Dorothy was born on February 25, 1943, in New Lisbon, Wis., the daughter of Carl and Mabel (Blackburn) Richolson. She was raised on the family farm just outside Sauk City in the Honey Creek area. Though small in stature, Dorothy was a force of energy from a young age. The youngest of six children, she worked alongside her family on the farm, showed dairy cattle through 4-H, and was first chair clarinet in the Sauk Prairie High School marching band. She graduated in 1961.
On December 28, 1961, Dorothy married the love of her life, Lyle Kuhnau, at First United Church of Christ in Sauk City-beginning a 62-year love story. Shortly after, they packed up their car and moved cross-country to Tacoma, Wash., where Lyle served in the National Guard. After his service, they returned to the Sauk Prairie area.
Dorothy and Lyle were more than met the eye-they were risk-takers, entrepreneurs, and quiet stewards of their community. They owned and operated several small businesses over the years. They started with a gas station and garage at the corner of Hwy 60 and Hwy 12, but eventually sold it because, as they told it, Lyle kept letting people leave without paying due to the hard times they said they were having.
Shortly after they founded a dairy farm and milk hauling business, Zech & Kuhnau. Dorothy dedicated herself to their family, their animals (each with names and unique care), and managing their operations. She did everything from bookkeeping and payroll to milking cows, handling farm chores, managing rental properties, and even driving a milk truck for years.
Dorothy was also active in her community. She and Lyle were lifelong members of First United Church of Christ, delivered Meals on Wheels, and were ever-present at their children's and grandchildren's school activities, 4-H events, including countless county and state fairs.
She had a deep love for animals and was a ferocious reader. She loved trips to Florida, playing cards, and bowling. Dorothy was also a passionate sports fan-cheering on the Brewers, Badgers, and in later years, the Marquette Golden Eagles.
Dorothy was known for her cheerful spirit, quick wit, and unwavering positivity. Her husband Lyle often said his greatest joys were his family, his work, and his friendships-and Dorothy was at the heart of it all. In 1968, she was featured on the cover of Dairy Express magazine as "a quiet, petite young lady with a ready smile… a housewife who happens to haul milk." She was a woman ahead of her time- fiercely independent, deeply capable, and unafraid to take on roles not traditionally held by women of her era. Dorothy did it all with quiet determination and grace. Her strength, intelligence and resilience left a lasting example for generations to follow.
She will be remembered as a loving wife, a proud and devoted mother and grandmother, and a loyal friend to many.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lyle; her parents; her in-laws; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
She is survived by her children: Randy (Barb), Dale, Brian (Amy), and Angela (Bill); grandchildren: Rachel (Ryan) Weiss, Ryan (Grace) Kuhnau, Heather (Ian) McDougall, Heidi Kuhnau, Lauren and Noah Kuhnau, Allison and Isabella Mack; and three great-grandsons. She is also survived by her sister, Shirley Parchem; sisters-in-law, Rita Richolson and Karen Richolson; brother-in-law, Dwane Kuhnau; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the nursing staff at Sauk Prairie Hospital and the team at Maplewood Village for their compassionate care.
A celebration of life honoring both Dorothy and Lyle will be held on Friday, May 16th at First United Church of Christ, 504 Washington St., Sauk City. Visitation will be held from 4 until 5:30 p.m., followed by a short ceremony at 5:30 p.m. A private burial will follow in the Sauk City Cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared at www.hooversonfuneralhomes.com.
Hooverson Funeral Home
February 25, 1943 - May 8, 2025
Sauk Prairie - Dorothy E. Kuhnau, age 82, of Sauk City, Wis., passed away on May 8, 2025. Dorothy was born on February 25, 1943, in New Lisbon, Wis., the daughter of Carl and Mabel (Blackburn) Richolson. She was raised on the family farm just outside Sauk City in the Honey Creek area. Though small in stature, Dorothy was a force of energy from a young age. The youngest of six children, she worked alongside her family on the farm, showed dairy cattle through 4-H, and was first chair clarinet in the Sauk Prairie High School marching band. She graduated in 1961.
On December 28, 1961, Dorothy married the love of her life, Lyle Kuhnau, at First United Church of Christ in Sauk City-beginning a 62-year love story. Shortly after, they packed up their car and moved cross-country to Tacoma, Wash., where Lyle served in the National Guard. After his service, they returned to the Sauk Prairie area.
Dorothy and Lyle were more than met the eye-they were risk-takers, entrepreneurs, and quiet stewards of their community. They owned and operated several small businesses over the years. They started with a gas station and garage at the corner of Hwy 60 and Hwy 12, but eventually sold it because, as they told it, Lyle kept letting people leave without paying due to the hard times they said they were having.
Shortly after they founded a dairy farm and milk hauling business, Zech & Kuhnau. Dorothy dedicated herself to their family, their animals (each with names and unique care), and managing their operations. She did everything from bookkeeping and payroll to milking cows, handling farm chores, managing rental properties, and even driving a milk truck for years.
Dorothy was also active in her community. She and Lyle were lifelong members of First United Church of Christ, delivered Meals on Wheels, and were ever-present at their children's and grandchildren's school activities, 4-H events, including countless county and state fairs.
She had a deep love for animals and was a ferocious reader. She loved trips to Florida, playing cards, and bowling. Dorothy was also a passionate sports fan-cheering on the Brewers, Badgers, and in later years, the Marquette Golden Eagles.
Dorothy was known for her cheerful spirit, quick wit, and unwavering positivity. Her husband Lyle often said his greatest joys were his family, his work, and his friendships-and Dorothy was at the heart of it all. In 1968, she was featured on the cover of Dairy Express magazine as "a quiet, petite young lady with a ready smile… a housewife who happens to haul milk." She was a woman ahead of her time- fiercely independent, deeply capable, and unafraid to take on roles not traditionally held by women of her era. Dorothy did it all with quiet determination and grace. Her strength, intelligence and resilience left a lasting example for generations to follow.
She will be remembered as a loving wife, a proud and devoted mother and grandmother, and a loyal friend to many.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lyle; her parents; her in-laws; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
She is survived by her children: Randy (Barb), Dale, Brian (Amy), and Angela (Bill); grandchildren: Rachel (Ryan) Weiss, Ryan (Grace) Kuhnau, Heather (Ian) McDougall, Heidi Kuhnau, Lauren and Noah Kuhnau, Allison and Isabella Mack; and three great-grandsons. She is also survived by her sister, Shirley Parchem; sisters-in-law, Rita Richolson and Karen Richolson; brother-in-law, Dwane Kuhnau; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the nursing staff at Sauk Prairie Hospital and the team at Maplewood Village for their compassionate care.
A celebration of life honoring both Dorothy and Lyle will be held on Friday, May 16th at First United Church of Christ, 504 Washington St., Sauk City. Visitation will be held from 4 until 5:30 p.m., followed by a short ceremony at 5:30 p.m. A private burial will follow in the Sauk City Cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared at www.hooversonfuneralhomes.com.
Hooverson Funeral Home
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Madison.com on May 15, 2025.
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