Dollie M. Coleman

Dollie M. Coleman, age 97 of Gays Mills WI, died Saturday January 4, 2020. After experiencing 97 years of what she recently decreed to be the most beautiful life, Dollie Marjorie Coleman passed away on January 4th at the Soldiers Grove Health Services residence, Soldiers Grove, WI. Dollie was born Marjorie Dull on October 19, 1922 to Arley and Mary Pansey Dull in Boscobel, WI. Shortly after her birth her father began to call her Dollie, a nickname that she formally and officially claimed as her own. She was the oldest of six children in her family home and also had an older half-sister. Dollie graduated from Soldiers Grove High School in 1941. From there she completed two years of State Teachers College in La Crosse, WI, training that prepared her to teach in nearby country schools. In 1945 she married the dashing Victor Coleman in Los Angeles, CA, meeting Vic there while he was on a short leave from the United States Navy. At the conclusion of the war, Victor and Dollie settled in Gays Mills, WI to start a life together and raise a family. Daughter Georgia (Kay) was the first to arrive and by 1957 children Dennis, Nancy, Susan, and Jonathan completed their family. Vic and Dollie existed at the epicenter of their small town community and involved themselves in many different efforts and activities. Dollie was a former Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, a Cub Scout Den Mother, and President of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church and strongly committed to both her faith and her congregation. She served as a Sunday school teacher, President of the United Methodist Women, and baked her legendary apple pie every year for the congregations Applefest bake sale. As her children grew older she worked as a substitute teacher and teachers aide at the Gays Mills Elementary school, circling back to her love of teaching and the classroom. And when she retired from that work, Dollie traveled with Vic around the country, living in different states and experiencing places as vast as California and Colorado. While Dollie was beloved in her community by friends and neighbors alike, she was equally adored by her grandchildren. She crocheted dozens of afghans for this next generation, blankets that symbolized her ever present warmth. Her special combination of unconditional love, competitive spirit, and sass allowed her to be present and supportive of both her grandchildren and great-grandchildren for over forty-five years. Dollies legacy will live on through her children Nancy Dull, Susan Doehlert, Jonathan (Cheryl) Coleman, son-in-law Michael Monahan, daughter-in-law Cele Wolf, eleven grandchildren: Brian (Dana) Monahan, Jeremy (Jill) Monahan, Layla (Ian Park) Coleman, Orion Coleman, Sara (Jesus) Dull Pacheco, Lindsey (Todd Marescalco) Coleman , Lee (Lauren) Coleman, Gage (Kristen) Doehlert, Zoe (Joe) Ellerbusch, Celeste Doehlert, Dylan Dull, and thirteen great-grandchildren: Davis, Megan, Derek, Charlie, Brenna, Asher, Gabriella, Luca, Madeline, Audie, Everly, Mila and Katherine. She is further survived by sisters Myra Chestleson and Roberta Hines, and many additional nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Dollie was preceded in death by her husband of fifty -four years Victor Coleman, daughter Georgia (Kay) Monahan, son Dennis Coleman, son-in-law Rick Dull, siblings Ruth Henderleiter, Marian Henderson, June Ball, and Byron Dull, as well as countless friends and community members. A celebration of this extraordinary matriarch will be held on Saturday, January 11th at the Vosseteig Funeral Home in Gays Mills, WI (325 Sunset Ridge Ave.). A visitation will start at 10:00 am followed by a memorial service at 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be sent to the Friends of the Gays Mills Swimming Pool, Village of Gays Mills, 16381 State Highway 131, Suite 1, Gays Mills, WI 54631 (in memory of Dollie Coleman). On-line condolences may be offered at www.vossfh.com The Vosseteig Funeral Home, 325 Sunset Ridge Ave & Hwy 131, in Gays Mills is serving the family, (608) 735-2100.