Dolores Ann Kehler (nee Zavattaro)

February 13, 1932-December 6, 2025

Dolores passed away at age 93, in her home, surrounded by her loved ones. She will be dearly missed in this life by daughters Rosemary and Kathleen, ”foster daughter” Juliette, Sister Jeanette, grandchildren Michael, Alyssa, Erica, five great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Giovanni (John) and Mary (nee Savio) Zavattaro, her brother Edward, husband Gordon, son John, and sons-in-law Robert and James.

Dolores graduated from Bay View High School in 1950, and worked as a typist and in accounting at a fashion house called Rea in Milwaukee after high school. She met her husband Gordon while living at home on Logan Avenue in Bay View.  He had returned from Coast Guard service and was living nearby with his family.  They married on July 17, 1954 after building their first home together in Caledonia, WI.

Without explaining the long hours, challenges and “discussions” that they had while building their house, she always told her children, “If you want to know that you are compatible with your future spouse, build a house together!”  She described mastering the balance of a wheelbarrow full of concrete while her brother, father & future husband worked with the heavy block putting in the foundation, and talked of learning to pound a nail straight while building the structure.  Though the men were all hard workers and good teachers, she never expressed the desire to repeat the experience.

After living in the country for 5 years, the winter travel to work in Cudahy without benefit of the modern expressway caused them to move to a more convenient location at their current home in Oak Creek, where they raised three children and lived a full life together.

Dolores enjoyed many hobbies, including gardening, upholstery, and rosemaling, and was an accomplished seamstress.  She made many of her children’s’ clothing items, from coats, to pants, dresses and bathing suits.

As was the norm in the 1950’s and 60’s, social events were hosted in the home, and Dolores was an excellent hostess.  She always loved to cook and bake, and holiday meals were wonderful. There is a plaque hanging in her kitchen that says “Nella mia casa nessuno va affamato” translated means “No one in my house goes hungry”. Relatives, guests and neighborhood kids can attest to the truth in that. Her children learned to cook, bake, make jam and can vegetables and fruits with her. All were lessons taught with love.

As her children grew, she took part time employment to help save for their college educations.  She was a visiting caregiver for elderly patients through a program at Trinity Hospital (Now Aurora St. Lukes South Shore). She also was employed with the Oak Creek school system as a cafeteria attendant for a few years. Dolores worked for Eder Industries assembling electronic parts to circuit boards. Together with Gordon, they sent all three of their children to college and were very proud of all of them at graduation.

Always politically active, Dolores worked as a poll worker for elections, along with doing campaign work for various local and state officials, and writing and calling congress with her concerns.

Dolores was also a tremendous grandma, watching babies while they were young,  and helping to get grandkids off to school while Mom & Dad were working rotating shifts. While living only blocks away from the schools, she gave them a safe place to come home afterward.

 She occasionally cared for family members after surgeries, making sure we were following doctor’s orders and spoiling us by feeding us delicious meals and waiting on our every need.

One could not ask for a kinder, more caring spouse, mother or friend. Dolores will be missed by many.

The family wishes to thank the employees of Brighton Home Hospice for their wonderful care in the last few weeks of Dolores’ life. Your skill and reassurance during this time was a blessing for us all.

Visitation and memorial: 

Saturday December 20, 2025

1-3 p.m.

Heritage Funeral Home

9200 S. 27^th Street

Oak Creek, WI 53154

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to:

Fisher House, Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI

Shriner’s Hospital

Wisconsin Lion’s Camp, Rosholt WI