Entered Heaven on January 3, 2026, at the age of 95.
Loving mom of Gary Hartwig, Karen (Joe) Riedel, and Laureen (Dale) Knutson.
Proud grandma of Josh Knutson, Stephanie (Zach) Hicks, Clark Riedel, Ben Hartwig, Kevin Hartwig, Faye Wilder, and Nick Hartwig.
Adoring great grandma of Ivy, Noah, and Nora.
Further survived by other family and friends.
Preceded in death by her husband William, and her siblings Evelyn and Wilfred.
Delores was born in her parents, William and Meta Brunner’s home in Abbotsford, WI. As a child she tended to the animals on the farm, helped her mother, and went to school. She graduated from high school in 1949 and attended cosmetology school in Milwaukee where she began her career as a beautician.
She met Bill on a blind date and married him on April 30th, 1955. They bought a cape cod home in Milwaukee and welcomed their three children. Bill worked for Wisconsin Bell telephone company while Delores cared for the children.
In December of 1968 they moved into their newly constructed home in Colgate, WI. With the children in school, she worked part time in a beauty salon in Menomonee Falls WI.
Delores had a green thumb and could grow anything inside or out. She planted beautiful flowers that decorated the house and harvested a huge vegetable garden. She was a fabulous cook, but her true passion was baking. She was known for her delicious cakes, cookies, and sweet rolls (butter horns). Delores babysat all the grandchildren at some time in their life. She was active in the women’s Auxiliary, and she loved to feed the birds, bowl, fish, and play sheepshead.
Some of her final words were, “Please don’t cry for me, I had a Wonderful Life”.
A funeral service will be held at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home (N84W17937 Menomonee Ave, Menomonee Falls, WI, 53051) on Friday, January 16, 2026. Visitation starts at 10am until time of service at 12pm. Private entombment to follow.
