FREDDIE J. DOLESY AND DONNA L DOLESY
FREDDIE J. DOLESY AND DONNA L DOLESY
1929-2025 and 1931-2025
Freddie J. Dolesy, 96, of rural Black River Falls, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at his home Aug. 27, 2025.
Freddie was born March 20, 1929, in Black River Falls, WI, to Fred and Adeline (Schnick) Dolesy and was the seventh of nine children. His family lived in several places in the rural Black River Falls area, but most of his childhood was spent on a farm in Hatfield. He attended the Wrightsville one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade and then to Black River Falls High School where he graduated in 1947. After high school, Freddie worked construction in Chicago. One of his favorite memories in Chicago was meeting Carole Landis while at a Tommy Dorsey concert, where she sat and talked to him for some time. He later joined the U.S. Army, serving in several places, including Guam, Saipan and Hawaii before returning home to the Black River Falls Area. He hauled milk for almost 60 years, first can milk, and then he bought his first bulk milk truck in the late 1950s eventually to become Dolesy Transport, which he operated with his son. He also worked for Midland Co-op and later for Tru-Gas, where he delivered propane and performed furnace and water heater repairs.
He was known for his willingness to go the extra mile to ensure his customers had heat and gas for their stove to cook, many times covering the cost if they couldn’t afford it. Freddie was a man with a legendary work ethic. Most of his life he worked seven days a week, holding multiple jobs at once and never took a sick day. He continued working until age 80, and even then, he didn’t want to quit. At the end of his life, he still thought he should be getting up to haul milk, go to the barn, fix water pipes, etc. He loved to help others, was never one to sit still and could always be counted on to help fix or build something when asked. Freddie was also passionate about wellness and nutrition long before it became mainstream, and he loved to share this knowledge with others.
Donna L Dolesy, 94, of rural Black River Falls passed away peacefully at Mayo Clinic Health System in Sparta, WI, Sept. 7, 2025.
Donna was born April 20, 1931, in Merrillan, WI, to George and Laura (Simonson) Gee. She grew up in rural Alma Center with her four siblings and attended the one-room schoolhouse in Alma Center until eighth grade and then to Hixton High School where she graduated in 1949. Following graduation, she worked at Hixton High School as a secretary and some days even rode the school bus to work, but most of the time would stay at the hotel in town. Donna then moved to La Crosse to work at a rubber mill factory for about one year but returned to the Black River Falls area. She said she always liked her job at the high school, the friends she made and wished she would’ve stayed at that job, but she wanted to try life in the city. Upon returning to Black River Falls, Donna worked at Norplex Plastic plant, as well as several law firms before beginning her employment in 1966 with the Probation and Parole Department where she stayed until her retirement in 1998. Donna also used to help Freddie on his milk route in her younger days, and they also joked that they built a carport together and were able to stay married.
Freddie and Donna appreciated the simple things in life during their youth. This included free movies in the Merrillan and Alma Center area, horse and sleigh rides in the winter, roller skating, and later, they both attended dances at Hatfield. It was at one of these dances that Freddie and Donna met, eventually married and danced together as husband and wife for almost 70 years. They enjoyed attending weddings, anniversary parties or any local venue that had a band where they could dance. In later years, their dancing was limited to the kitchen or living room of their home while listening to Mollie B or Jimmy Sturr. Freddie and Donna enjoyed playing cards with friends and family and enjoyed this pastime until the last couple of months of their lives.
Both Freddie and Donna enjoyed living in the country for the beauty, privacy and the big garden Freddie could tend to each summer. In addition to dancing when they met, Freddie also enjoyed racing cars while Donna looked on in the stands. They both enjoyed cheering for the Packers, especially during the Brett Favre era!
Donna was a member of the local Homemakers group for years, and once when she was absent from a meeting, much to her disappointment surprise, they elected her president. She tried to never miss another meeting after her year term was up! Donna was also a good cook and famous for her homemade egg noodles, blueberry pie and cool whip bars. Freddie enjoyed picking the blueberries for those pies, as well as eating the finished product. If anyone stopped for a visit they were always asked if they wanted something to eat. Donna was disappointed if family stopped by around dinner time and had already eaten.
Donna and Freddie were devoted to each other and to their family. Being parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were the highlight of their lives. Both would do anything to be supportive of their family.
At family gatherings, Freddie was fun, silly and enjoyed pranks, and people would gravitate towards him. He was also one that others could confide in or ask advice. Donna was a positive, warm and selfless person. She always thought of others before herself and thought the best of people. She was known to say that she liked to remember the good things about people and in life. Freddie and Donna were both very thoughtful, kind and generous. Freddie and Donna’s politeness even extended to (Amazon) Alexa, who they would say please and thank you to whenever she turned on the lights, turned up the furnace or played music. The world would be a better place if more people were as kind and thoughtful as Freddie and Donna.
Donna and Freddie’s dedication to one another was beyond compare. They spent the past year visiting each other daily whenever one of them was in the hospital or nursing home rehab, as they needed to make sure to say I love you and get a kiss hello/ goodbye. Even as family watched in fear that one of them might fall trying to get that kiss, it was beautiful to witness.
Freddie and Donna are survived by their children, Brian (Lori) Dolesy, Lori (Don) Holcomb, Lisa (Jim Campeau) Dolesy and Diane (Jacob) Speich; grandchildren Erica Dolesy, Michelle (Andy) Bastian, Alex (Tiffany) Dolesy, Jennifer (Ross) Laubach, Nicole (Tod) Dunlavy, Megan Speich and Trevor Speich; 13 great-grandchildren; Donna’s sister, Laura Gonia; Donna’s brother-in law, Peter Peasley; and many nieces and nephews.
Freddie and Donna were preceded in death by their parents, Fred and Adeline Dolesy and George and Laura Gee; Freddie’s siblings, Osborne, Kenneth, Eva, Ethel, Phyllis, Hazel, Charles and Carol; Donna’s siblings, Gloria, Carole and Fred; and great-granddaughter Jordan Michelle Bastian.
As a family, we will always be thankful for the exceptional, thoughtful and compassionate care provided by Dr. Michelle Clark-Forsting. Her genuine concern for Freddie, dedication to his care and responsiveness to all of his concerns meant so much to him and his family.
Our thanks to Dr. Woodward, nurses and staff at Mayo Clinic Healthcare System in Sparta for their kindness and care during Donna’s last few days.
We also want to express our gratitude to their caregivers, including their granddaughter, Nicole, for helping to provide loving care to Grandpa Fred and Grandma Donna over their last few months of life; Kathy for her compassionate care, kindness, support and guidance; also special thanks to Kay, Hilarie, Chris and Levi for their care and support.
A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.