Dorothy Mach

Dorothy Eleanore (Houdek) Mach of Appleton

Dorothy Mach passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on September 15th surrounded by the love of her family. She was born February 3rd, 1930 to Charles and Ella (Johanek) Houdek in rural Bryant, WI. She lived on the farm until age 13 when she took various jobs in Antigo while attending and graduating from Antigo High School.

November 22, 1947, she married Harry Mach at St. Wenzel Catholic Church, Neva. He was an engineer for Chicago Northwestern Railroad. They built their first home and welcomed six daughters while living in Antigo. They relocated to Appleton, WI in 1962 and welcomed a son in 1966. Many summers the family enjoyed time at their cottage at Bass Lake, rentals at Shawano Lake and St. Therese Church's camp outs. After 57 blessed years together, her husband passed away September 2nd, 2005.

Dorothy was hardworking and a caregiver. She took pride in all that she did. She hosted many holiday feasts, enjoying cooking, baking, canning and gardening. Besides upholstering furniture, she would sew matching holiday dresses for her six daughters as well as wedding and bridesmaid dresses for some of her daughter's weddings. Whenever home improvements were needed, Dorothy was there, painting and wallpapering late into the night…..she wasn't afraid to pick up a hammer or a shovel either. She was always willing to lend a helping hand or offer advice to those in need.

While busy as a homemaker and raising her family, Dorothy became an Avon Representative for 40 years. She also was an active church member, assisting with school lunch programs, coordinating funeral luncheons and served as President for the Ladies Society for 12 years.

Survivors include her six daughters: Therese (John) Bauman, Appleton; Karen (Les) Paul, Sugar Grove, Il.; Carol Miles, Egg Harbor; Charlene (Dennis) McCullough, Englewood, FL; Sandra Barlow, Kaukauna; Mary Skilbeck, Bellingham, WA; and a son, Paul (Kay) Mach, South Bend, IN.

Grandchildren: Jennifer (Glen) Lemmert, Tim (Rebecca) Bauman, Pete Bauman, Amy (Karl) Moos, Heidi (Eddie) Greenacre, Douglas (Jennifer) Miles, Andrew (Jackie) Miles, Mike (Nikki) McCullough, Michelle (John) Goode, Cory McCullough, Jon Barlow, Sara (Travis) Mueller, Cassie Mach (Jon), Stephen (Victoria) Scoville, Nicholas (Kelsey) Scoville, Melissa Jones, Lyndsay Mach.

Great Grandchildren: Issac Lemmert, Eryn Lemmert, Emma Bauman, Alexander Moos, Rachel Moos, Megan Greenacre, Katie Greenacre, Aryn Mattson, Jordan Walton, Taylor (Genevieve) Miles, Alexa Miles, Quinn McCullough, Nolan McCullough, Aidan McCullough, Maddie Goode, Shane (Daina) Goode, Dominic Mueller, Savannah Mueller, Valen Levinson, Indy Levinson, Shepherd Scoville, Harper Scoville, Hallie Scoville, Wyatt Jones. GGC – Max.

Two sisters: Shirley Drexler, Chicago Il. and Arleen Plzak, Antigo; along with many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to her husband, Harry, she is preceded in death by parents, Charles and Ella Houdek; sisters and brothers-in-law: Evelyn (Ben) Schmoll, Elaine (Mel) Walters, John Drexler and Daniel Plzak; and brothers and sisters-in-laws: Eugene (Eunice) Houdek and Robert (Phyllis) Houdek.

Her husband's parents, Wenzel and Mabel Mach; and siblings and their spouses: Stanley (Margie) Mach, Florence (Richard) Pullman, Evelyn (Russell) Steinfeldt, George (Beatrice) Mach, Robert (Betty) Mach and Beulah Thomas.

Special thanks to ThedaCare at Home Hospice for their wonderful care of our mother for the past six months.

Visitation will take place on Monday, September 22, 2025, at ST. THERESE PARISH (213 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Appleton) from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Her Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dennis Ryan officiating and the Rev. John Becker concelebrating. Committal Highland Memorial Park.

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