Dorothy M. Poull, age 88, of Port Washington, Wisconsin died Monday, October 30, 2023 at Aurora Health Center in Grafton, Wisconsin.
She was born on July 19, 1935 to Raymond and Virginia Konrad Diedrich in Random Lake, WI. Dorothy attended St. Mary’s parochial school and graduated from Random Lake High School.
For many years, Dorothy worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at the former St. Alphonsus Hospital in Port Washington.
On August 20, 1955, Dorothy married James J. “Jim” Poull at St. Mary’s Church in Random Lake. While raising her family, Dorothy still worked at the hospital and at the family business Poull Hardware on Franklin Street in downtown Port Washington. Together with her children, they would operate the store until retirement in 1998.
Over the years, Dorothy also continued working as a CNA at Heritage Nursing Home and Rehabilitation and the Harbor Club in Port Washington. People and memories she truly loved.
Dorothy and Jim with other local families founded the Ozaukee County Chapter of Retarded Children (OCCRC), Ulao School and Portal Industries of Grafton to provide opportunities for children like their daughter Beth.
Family and friends were always dear to Dorothy. Camping and vacations in Crivitz and drives South were priceless to her heart and soul. She was blessed with the friendship of Jim and Lanielle, John and Chuck and Millie, amongst others up north.
Dorothy is survived by her children John, James Jr. (the late Maria), Suzette and Jeffrey Poull and Michele (the late Michael) Biddle, all of Port Washington; nine grandchildren Raymond (Kelly), Andrea (Ryan), Jason, Darcy, Josh, Amanda, Adam, Andrew (Kimmy) and Brian; ten great-grandchildren Adina, Arianna, Dakota, Layla, Cyrus, James, Hayden, Emory, Mackenzie and Madelyn; her sisters , Mary (George) Graff of Rock Hill, SC, Sharon (Roger) Karrels of Port Washington and Maggie Diedrich of Tempe, AZ; brother Dick (Nancy) Diedrich; sister-in-law Dorothy Diedrich, both of Plymouth, WI, many nieces and nephews of whom she felt blessed and special, other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband of over 65 years Jim, who passed away on April 21, 2020, her daughter Elizabeth “Beth” Poull, her daughter-in-law Maria Poull, her son-in-law Michael Biddle, her parents Raymond and Virginia Diedrich, Jim’s parents Clarence “Jigger” and Betty Poull, her brothers Lance Corporal Robert, Raymond, Jr., Michael, James and Donald Diedrich, as well as, dear friends Ed “Jr.” and Betty Johnson, Rick Johnson and Lanielle Dierringer.
Funeral services will take place at a later date in Spring, 2024. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Washington.
Memorials to Ozaukee Humane Society, Saukville or St. Jude’s Hospital appreciated.
POOLE FUNERAL HOME/Crematory, Port Washington, WI assisting the family. Information and condolences available at www.poolefh.com or 262/284-4431.
Dorothy and Jim were some of the best neighbors anyone could ask for. Warm, kind and humble. I occasionally take walks thru St Mary’s cemetery and pay my respects to Jim and Beth….and now Dorothy as well.
I am so sorry for your loss. Dorothy will stay in so many hearts, we will all cherish those memories and her wisdom. Dorothy always knew how to tell a great story, and she put everyone at ease. R.I.P Dorothy, Heaven knew they got one of the best.