Dorothy Irene (nee McCourt) Verhein, age 95, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on May 8, 2025. Dorothy was born on September 29, 1929 to Maurice and Viola McCourt of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. When her father lost his farm implement business in the Great Depression,the family traveled around the country. Her father worked at various WPA projects across the country in Florida, Louisiana and Tennessee giving her a diverse educational and life experience.
Dorothy attended Superior State College (Wisconsin) and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in education. Her first teaching position was a one room schoolhouse (grades K-6) outside Horse Creek, Wisconsin. She was recruited by the Oconomowoc school system and taught 3rd grade at Brown Street and Lincoln Schools. She admitted it took her a week to learn how to pronounce Oconomowoc. She met her future husband at the Colonial Inn (in Delafield) and married Donald Verhein on June 16, 1956.
She continued to be involved in education as she raised her family. She was an active substitute teacher and later worked as an aide in OHS’s “Paper High”. She earned her MA from UW-Milwaukee with a thesis on children’s literature.
Dorothy was active in her community and church. She played accordion and piano; enjoyed reading and educating children; and worked tirelessly at completing our family’s genealogy. She had a deep knowledge and love of nature. Her annual collection of tadpoles and long walks through fields, parks and preserves was a highlight of spring. She will be remembered as an amateur botanist who collected, nurtured and cut slips of her wild plants from her yard to give to friends, neighbors and Agricultural Department at Oconomowoc High.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her loving husband Donald Verhein. She is survived by her children Gail (Tim) Gephart, Kim (Mike) Herro and Mark (Krista) Verhein, her grandchildren Jessica (Tom) Lamirand, Mia Herro and Kenzie (Matt) Sarver and great grandchildren Samuel Lamirand, Elsa Lamirand, and Delaney Sarver.
The family thanks Pro Healthcare Hospice Team, Angels Love & Care (Mukwonago), the other front-line caregivers who became like family and several neighbors who helped fulfill Dorothy’s wish to stay at home until the end. We appreciate their support and tender care of our Mother.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life at First Congregational Church of Oconomowoc, 815 South Concord Road, Friday, June 13th visitation from 2:30pm until time of service at 3:00pm. Following the service there will be an ice cream social, until 5:00pm. Dorothy was a big fan of ice cream!
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the First Congregational Church of Oconomowoc (www.oconomowocucc.org) or the Hawks Inn of Delafield (www.hawksinn.org).