Billie Jean Dorn

Billie Jean (Boykin Hartleb) Dorn

Billie Jean Dorn, age 89, passed peacefully onto the Lord on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at the Dorn family home in Menasha, Wisconsin. Billie Jean succumbed due to complications from breast cancer. She was surrounded by her loving husband Lawrence and close family members.

Billie Jean was born on March 25, 1926 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to the late Carl and Mary Alice (Stevens) Boykin. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and married Edward M. Hartleb, Jr. in 1947. Billie Jean worked at Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo until the birth of her first child. She was widowed in 1972 after 25 years of marriage.

In 1975, Billie Jean moved to Florida where she went to school and earned her real estate license, broker's license, and mortgage license. For several years she worked for Peter Kleist in commercial real estate, mainly in Naples, Florida.

An important aspect throughout her life was her dedication to her faith. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Appleton, and Church of the Resurrection in Fort Myers, Florida. Every day was lived in gratitude for all God created and bestowed on her, her family, and friends. She was a voracious reader and learner who loved life. Her many interests included family, faith, friends, golf, reading, duplicate bridge, and travel.

She was an active member of the Cypress Lakes Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida for 40 years. As a member of a weekly bridge group she was known for her perceptive play. Billie Jean so enjoyed her monthly book club meetings, and often shared that experience with family and other friends.

Billie Jean and her husband Larry enjoyed many golf trips around the U.S. and the Dominican Republic. They also traveled to Greece, Israel, Japan, Ireland, as well as Australia and New Zealand.

Larry will miss Billie Jean, her quick wit, her energy and enthusiasm and companionship. He fully committed himself to providing her comfort during her last days. They were happily married for 22 years. Billie Jean was dedicated to her family, relatives and friends. Most importantly she so enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren, they were the love of her life. She was loved by all, and will be missed and remembered always as a loving and dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother.

Billie Jean is survived by her husband Lawrence Dorn, Sr.; her children: Edward M. “Ted” (Vicki) Hartleb, III, and Barbara (Norman) Kessling; stepson Lawrence Dorn, Jr.; grandchildren: Valerie (Jeremiah) Johnson; Joanna Kessling and Michael (Jennifer) Kessling; Lawrence (Kristin Roovers) Dorn, III, Jennifer (Matt) Vandenberg, and Elizabeth (Cory) Robinson; great grandchildren: Ella and Issac Johnson; Lawrence Dorn IV; Chase, Sanibel, and Denver Vandenberg; her brother Jack Boykin; sisters- and brothers-in-law: Florence Woldt, Rosella Ernst, Donald Dorn, Charlotte Koerner, Patricia Jack, Marilyn Dorn, and Beatrice (Gene) Otto. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Billie Jean was preceded in death by a stepson Steven Dorn, and a sister-in-law Pat Boykin.

The funeral liturgy for Billie Jean will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH, 222 E. Fremont Street in Appleton. Fr. Don Zuleger and Fr. Bill Kuhr will be officiating. Inurnment will take place at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Wichmann Funeral Home Tri-County Chapel, 1592 Oneida Street in Menasha, and at the church on Tuesday morning from 10:00 am until 10:45 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated. Online condolences can be offered at www.wichmannfargo.com.

The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses who cared for Billie Jean at St. Elizabeth Hospital. Also, to the extremely kind and competent hospice nurses with Heartland Hospice who helped support the entire family.

From Scripture: Let my love enfold you in the radiance of my Glory. Sit still in the light of my presence, and receive My Peace. Hold my hand in childlike trust, and the way before you will open up step by step.