Dorothy A. Binkowski Allen

Dorothy Anne Binkowski Allen, age 89, from Elmwood, Wisconsin entered into the Kingdom of Heaven on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at The Neighbors of Dunn County Nursing Home in Menomonie, Wisconsin. She had spent many days enjoying visits from siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and caregivers sharing stories, prayers, and quiet moments of reflection.
Dorothy was born on March 8, 1935, to Anthony and Arcella (Schoeder) Binkowski of Elmwood Wisconsin. She was a devout Catholic who loved her family, their dairy farm, nature, education, the theater, and music. She attended Elmwood High School where she participated in band and choir and performed with her sisters Joan and Mary Lou as "The Binkowski Sisters" at many regional venues, notably on the WCCO "Cedric Adams" and Menomonie's WMME radio shows in the early 1950's.
Dorothy earned a Bachelor's of Art Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin River Falls. She was active in theater and achieved numerous academic honors. She was a member of Alpha Psi Omega (a national honorary dramatics fraternity,) The Masquers Theater Club, The German Club, and Sigma Chi Sigma – (an honorary society awarded for scholastic achievement.) Following her college graduation, she taught in Amery and Madison Wisconsin schools. In 1964, she moved to Europe teaching in Italy at the San Vito dei Normanni Air Station as well as in Wiesbaden Germany teaching children of American Armed Service members. She continued her love of theater and created a Gifted and Talented Education Program. In later years, she brought that unique program to Plum City, WI schools. She taught hundreds of children to love learning and explore the Arts. She had a deep belief that every child should be given a fair opportunity to be their very best and she was set on her classrooms becoming that special place to create, explore, learn, and challenge.
Dorothy valued international travel and enabled generations of her family to visit Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Israel, and Egypt. Although she commonly was visiting different countries, she spent most summers with her parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews on the farm and staying very close to the family she loved. Upon her retirement in 1987 she married Walter Allen. Together they purchased the Binkowski Farm and enjoyed listening to opera, reading, visiting with family, and creating beautiful gardens. Dorothy continued teaching and became an active catechist at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elmwood, expanding her legacy of education and encouraging Faith with everyone she encountered.
Dorothy shared special moments with her siblings. She and her sister Joan enjoyed the flowers carefully designed on the family farm, caring conversations with her brother Mark, discussing philosophy with Fr. Jim, talking about fishing and farming with Leo, Frank and Tony, and talking about education with her sisters Mary Lou and Carol. Dorothy loved young people and the promise of tomorrow. She loved hearing about her nieces' and nephews' educational pursuits, advancing employment opportunities and travel.
Dorothy will be deeply missed, but forever remembered by those who knew her, loved her, and learned from her.
Dorothy is survived by her sisters Mary Lou Klisiewicz of Davis CA, Carol (Greg) Van Dyke of Durand WI, brothers Mark Binkowski, and Tony (Marge) Binkowski of Elmwood WI, sisters-in-law, Janie (Dick) Binkowski Presnell and Judy Binkowski, stepdaughter Drusilla Lynn (Anthony) Albus, along with nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and step-grandchildren.
Dorothy is welcomed into Heaven by her husband Walter Allen, her parents Anthony and Arcella, her brothers, Fr. James, Frank and Leo, brother-in-law John Klisiewicz, and three nieces Sally Ann, Mary Jane, and Elizabeth.
The family offers sincere gratitude to Janet Bladecki, Tim Bates, Melissa Schoeder, and Molly Karshbaum, for their years of friendship and support, especially during the pandemic
A Catholic Memorial Mass will take be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elmwood, WI. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the spring. A luncheon will be held immediately after the services at Molly's on Main in Plum City.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.