Dolores A. Westphal

May 13, 1938 - September 29, 2024

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Krause Funeral Home New Berlin

12401 West National Avenue

New Berlin, WI 53151

Thursday 10/10, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

11709 West Cleveland Avenue

West Allis, WI 53227

Friday 10/11, 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

11709 West Cleveland Avenue

West Allis, WI 53227

Friday 10/11, 11:00 am

Wisconsin Memorial Park

13235 West Capitol Drive

Brookfield, Wisconsin 53005

Friday 10/11

Dolores A. Westphal passed away at her home in New Berlin and was reunited with her husband Paul on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at the age of 86. Loving Mom of Greg (Karin) and Doug (Theresa) Westphal. Proud Grandma of Danielle (Andy), Derek (Emily), Amanda, Ashley (Derrek) and Jacob. Cherished Sister of La Vern (the late Art) Sommer, Ruth (the late Aaron) Pankow, Carol (the late Fred) Huebner, Daniel (Sue) Gruetzmacher, David Gruetzmacher and Sandy (the late Lester) Quant. Sister-in-Law of Lorriane Gruetzmacher and Ken Westphal. Preceded in death by her brothers, Eldor and Harrold. Further survived by many other wonderful relatives and friends.

Dolores was born in New London, WI, on May 13th 1938. She grew up on the farm and was no stranger to hard work. She wore this as a badge of honor. After moving to Milwaukee, she met her husband Paul while attending a Holiday Ice show. They briefly lived near the city in an apartment before building their home in New Berlin. In the 60’s she would “Jockey” cars for Selig Cars, where she met some of her long life friends. After Dolores worked as a Toy distributor rep until the opportunity came for her to begin selling Tupperware. Dolores quickly rose to district manager and had us boys sorting orders on weekends. This venture quickly grew to a more than full time position, achieving many awards and trips from Tupperware. All of us who knew Dolores knew that she lived by the motto, “Work Hard and Play Hard”. While Tupperware was taking up much of her time, Paul suggested she find something else that would free up her schedule. At a dinner party at Bev Zimmerman’s they discussed school photography, which Bev had been doing. My Dad thought this would be a good fit for her and she joined Herff Jones photography in 1974. Once again, Dolores built up a base of customers which caught the eye of Will Northrup of Delmar Studios. In 1976, Dolores joined Delmar Studios. Eight years later, after building a loyal customer base, Dolores started D. Westphal Photography. This again grew quickly and became one of SE Wisconsin’s premier school photography companies. Retiring in 2003, Dolores was not one to sit still, she was always such a people person. Helping with her son’s school picture business and spending time with the grandkids. She decided to start another small business to keep her occupied.

Dolores was very proud of her family and given the opportunity she would let you know this. Her main interests and hobbies were her Grandkids. She loved them more than they will know and valued and cherished the time she spent with them. If it was taking the girls shopping or watching a baseball game or just playing games with them she was always there for them. Grandma D was a fun grandma and a generous grandma. Christmas was one of her favorite times in life and something her family will always keep. She would always over gift and spoil the grandkids. She loved giving gifts! Grandma D was the first to call the grandkids to see how things were going for them, how their day was or to see if they wanted to go out to eat, “My Treat!”.

Dolores was a very giving person. If you would complement her on one of her accessories or outfits, she would say, “you like this? Here you can have it”. Many times she would literally give the shirt off her back.

She was blessed with having many good friends throughout life, after Paul passed away, she extended that friendship to many new people. Her friends meant the world to her and her generosity showed it. She was a familiar face and could be seen at one of favorite local spots playing and talking to the machines! She will be missed by many!

Visitation will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, WI 53151, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, 4-7 Pm. Additional Visitation will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 11709 West Cleveland Avenue, West Allis, 53227 on Friday, October 11, 2024, 10-11AM. Funeral Service at 11AM. Entombment to follow at Wisconsin Memorial Park.

Krause Funeral Home New Berlin

12401 West National Avenue

New Berlin, WI 53151

Map

Thursday 10/10, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

11709 West Cleveland Avenue

West Allis, WI 53227

Map

Friday 10/11, 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

11709 West Cleveland Avenue

West Allis, WI 53227

Map

Friday 10/11, 11:00 am

Wisconsin Memorial Park

13235 West Capitol Drive

Brookfield, Wisconsin 53005

Map

Friday 10/11

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In memory of the Westphal family.

In Loving Memory

It's been my JOY to know Delores and her sons and their families! I ordered the Grove of 3. One for each of you. Here's to Happiest of Memories.

It took me 3 tries to come up with the words I have to say today. The reason it took me 3 tries is because there is SO much to say about this woman and no short way to sum up anything about her. On my first try I reflected on; what one hell of a woman and life she lived. Including how she was raised on a farm with 8 brothers and sisters that she loved dearly and fought with, fled the farm and moved to Milwaukee at 16, later met my grandfather fought with him too, became a wife, then a mother, and proudly raised two of the most amazing men that I’m lucky to call one my dad and the other my uncle. It went on about her successful career owning a business, her strength, charm and what an inspirational person she was. But then that became lengthy, and Uncle Doug summed that all up in the eulogy and Facebook post way better than could have done so I thought okay, scratch that. *PAUSE* Then I tried again and thought okay, I got it! I’ll strictly write about what it was like to be her grandchild all these years. I went on to write about what she taught us in life like; having relationships with our extended cousins or work ethic or that we should look presentable, or how to party and how she had unique relationships with each of us, and knew more about us than most grandparents would even want to know about their grandchildren. And that was because “It just so happens that” as she would say, *Pause* her curious manner and all her nosy questions was her way of finding out exactly what was going on in our lives and “let me tell you” She wanted to know everything. But as fun and comical as it was to go down memory lane while writing about that, it once again, all became very lengthy for a speech. So, if anyone would like to hear about what it was like to have her as a grandmother, I’m sure my sister Amanda, my husband Derrek, my cousins, Danielle, Andy, Derek, Emily, and Jacob would be happy to tell you umpteen stories about our memories with and of her. Now, I went for my 3rd try, I thought okay, at the end of the day when someone so important to you and that you love so much passes away, what is the bottom line of speaking at their funeral? I suppose it is to share what you’ll miss while not having them around anymore or their impact on your life or what your favorite memories are that you wish you could relive one more time, right? So again, in my head- I said “I Got it.” I’ll talk about everything I wish I could hear her say, watch her do or do with her one more time. So, I thought about my one more times, and there I was again with a grocery list long of what I wish I could hear her say, watch her do or do with her one last time. Well, thank goodness the funeral wasn’t last week because clearly, I needed more time to sum this up, but then it hit me. I came to the conclusion of one word to sum my one more time. The word is simply “Everything” I wish I could experience the last 28 years of my life with her apart of it one more time. If I could clone her, or preserve her, and gift to my future children, 28 years with their Great Grandma Dee it would be the ultimate one more time and one of the best gifts they could get in life. Here’s to the iconic, the beautiful, the crazy, the feisty, the go getter, the cheerleader and glue she was for her family. She truly helped make me the person I am today and though this is an end of an era; we are so proud she touched so many lives beyond just our family. As much as she loved to give gifts she was a gift in herself that will live on through others she inspired along the way for generations to come. Bottom line if I could do one more thing with my grandmother it would be to do it all over again.

Peace to all the Westphal family in Delores' passing. We offer our condolences. Kristine Lendved, Roger & Ann Lendved

A memorial tree was planted in memory of Dolores Westphal . Plant a Tree

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We are so sorry for your loss! She was a wonderful women and will be missed!

White Florist's Choice was purchased for the family of Dolores Westphal by Jason, Jess & Boys!. Send Flowers

A tree was also planted in memory of Dolores Westphal

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

A memorial tree was planted in memory of Dolores Westphal . Plant a Tree

Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss... Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

A memorial tree was planted in memory of Dolores Westphal . Plant a Tree

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Blooming Garden Basket was purchased for the family of Dolores Westphal by Scott and Tisha Leitheiser, Eric, Tony and Megan Leitheiser. Send Flowers

I was so sorry to hear of Dolores passing! She will be greatly missed! Though I didn't get to see her that often, whenever I saw or talked to her, she was always so congenial and friendly and interested in what you were doing. I had just talked to her after my mom's (her aunt-in-law) death and she was so sympathetic and generous! She was a sweet soul and well loved! Farewell, dear Dolores!

Im so sorry Im not able to be there at the funeral.. Aunt Dolores was a real gem, and she will be missed by so many. She sure did love her family.

Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Dolores Westphal by Karin & Terry Braxton. Send Flowers

A tree was also planted in memory of Dolores Westphal

Delores was one of a kind and I have known her since I was a child. So true -that she would give you everything you said you liked, treat you to dinner and spoil your kids like they were her own grandkids. She used to over pay us as kids to cut out school photos and sort them and as an adult to help with her purse parties! She will be truly missed and she had wonderful children that I will cherish always cherish my friendships with as well. She had a good long and fun life! Our condolenses from the Kujawas.

Prayers for the Westphal family. Love the Van Handel's

This woman took being a grandparent to a whole new level . She truly was the best in so many ways .🤍 She made life so much more fun and I’ve yet to know anyone like her. I know she will still be looking over all of her friends and family just like she always has . She will be missed and cherished forever. Look out heaven here she comes! 😇
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Good bye my dearest friend. Patti and I,Corinne, will miss all of our special times together. We had so many special times, memories and secrets between us. Don’t worry I won’t tell. Miss you until we meet again my dear. Love ❤️ you, Corinne
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.