Dorothy Catherine Nachazel

1934 - 2026

Dorothy Catherine Nachazel (nee Menzner) 91 passed away on January 29th 2026 surrounded by family. She was born on December 30th 1934 to Fred and Kate Menzner in Wausau, Wisconsin.

Dorothy spent her childhood in Marathon, Wisconsin and also spent time at the family cottage in Minocqua. She loved the outdoors.

In her youth Dorothy attended St. Mary's in Prairie du Chien, St. Mary Springs in Fond du Lac and graduated from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee with an early education degree. Throughout those years she enjoyed playing sports and singing in the choir. She taught at Grant Elementary school in Wausau and East De Pere Elementary school. She loved children and would try to strike up a conversation with any young child near her.

It was in Minocqua on the dock of her family cottage that Dorothy met the love of her life, Vandy Nachazel, they were married in June 1959. In their early married years, they moved to several different states but always returned to their Wisconsin roots to be with family and their children. Along the way they had four children (Nancy, Laura, Scott and Paula)

Dorothy was a devout Roman Catholic, wherever they moved, she found ways to serve the community. She taught religion classes and tirelessly volunteered with meal preparation, cleaning and yard work for their church in Tennessee. She had over 20 years of volunteering at a store that supported the Opportunity House while they lived in Tennessee.

Dorothy was an amazing seamstress and baker; she loved craft projects and repurposing furniture. She enjoyed gardening and doing yard work. She was an enthusiastic cheerleader for her children's, grandchildren's and great grandchildren's sports and school activities. Dorothy loved her time at the cottage in Minocqua with family including taking walks, boating, swimming, bird watching and hand feeding the deer.

Dorothy was an avid downhill skier who skied all over the country and Canada. She learned to play golf later in life and won the women's club championship one year at the country club she and Vandy were members of in Tennessee.



Dorothy is survived by her loving husband Vandy, children; Nancy Bozek, Laura Nachazel, Scott (Debbie) Nachazel, Paula (Philip) Kemppainen.

Grandchildren: Jason Lesselyong, Nicole (Andrew) MacDonald; Stephanie (Derrick) Nguyen, Christopher (Kim) Nachazel, Kimberly Kemppainen (fiancé Anand) , Cassidy (Andrew) Gruesen, Gerald Desmet and Matt Dejesus.

Great Grandchildren: Gaige, Colton, Nyasia, Hunter, Preston, Drew and Xander

Also, many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents (Fred and Kate), two sisters; Kathleen McCurdy and Henrietta "Boots" Hansen and her twin brother Don Menzner and many other loved family members.

A private family funeral and burial will take place at a later date.



In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Kathryn Maegli Davis Scholarship fund at Mount Mary University with a note or memo line in Dorothy's memory.

Gifts can be made online and this form has a place to indicate the fund and to add a tribute in Dorothy's memory. Online gifts came be made at mtmary.edu/give and checks can be mailed to Mount Mary University Advancement Department 2900 Menomonee River Parkway Milwaukee, WI 53222.



The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to all the staff, caregivers and hospice team members at Touchmark, Home Instead and St Croix Hospice in Appleton who supported her with love these last few years.

Her warmth, love, and memory will be cherished by all who knew her.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord and let the perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.