Doreen Cornelius, of Antigo, died Thursday, November 17, 2011 at Eastview Medical & Rehabilitation Center. She was 90 years old. She was born on August 25, 1921 in Pearson, a daughter of Frank and Clara (Monnette) Doucette. She married Raymond Cornelius on September 28, 1940 in Antigo. He preceded her in death on June 24, 1977.
She attended Pearson Grade School, St. John Catholic Grade School and graduated from Antigo High School in 1938. She attended the University of Wisconsin extension in Antigo for two years.
Mrs. Cornelius was a past president of the Christian Mothers Alter Society, St. John Catholic Church Rosary Society and the Leland-Tollefson Veterans of Foreign War Auxiliary Post No. 2653, Antigo. She owned and operated along with her husband and six sons, Walleye Lodge on Rollingstone Lake. She was also deputy register of deeds for Langlade County and secretary at Elcho High School. She enjoyed sewing.
Survivors include five sons, Thomas (Roberta) Cornelius, Rhinelander, John (Marjorie) Cornelius, Rice, MN, James (Lauri) Cornelius, Gillett, William (Edna "Pepper") Cornelius, Summit Lake and Michael (Robbie) Cornelius, Rhinelander; twelve grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Phyllis Krosnicki, Antigo, Arleen Saykally and Jean Morgan, both of California.
In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by a son, Robert Cornelius; a daughter-in-law, Sharon Cornelius; three sisters, Urcel Jury Young, Lucille Marcotte and Ethel Mennano and 6 brothers-in-law.
A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, December 10, at 11 a.m. at Nativity of Our Lord Church, 125 E. King Street, Rhinelander with Rev. John Gerritts officiating. Visitation will be Saturday at the church from 10 - 11 a.m.
Meal to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.
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Rhinelander, Wisconsin 54501
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Rhinelander, Wisconsin 54501
I just learned of Doreen's passing I am so sorry for your loss. She was a great lady and I have found memories of her growing up. Her Mom my great Aunt Clara was and always will my hero. Jean, Phylis and Arleen as well as her children, grand and great-grand children my thoughts and prayers go out to you.
During this Thanksgiving weekend, I am blessed to have so many memories of good times shared with my Aunt Doreen. As the fourth of the remarkable Doucette "Seven Sisters", she had a unique zest for life that marked every moment shared with her. Though she accomplished many wonderful things in her lifetime, it is her six fine sons that will be her lasting legacy. May God shower His richest blessings on each of them and their families!!!!!!!
For My Dear Precious Sister, who we nicknamed, "Lady Dor". She was unique, loving, fun to be with, kind & giving, loyal, appreciative, very skilled in cooking and sewing, generously shared her skills, so proud of her six sons, who were always so lovingly attentive to her, and forever in love with her her dear husband, Shorty (Ray). Together they were a united, loyal, remarkable loving family. Doreen was the 4th,
of the seven daughters of Clara & Frank Doucette, & also the 4th, to return to be reunited in heaven, with her parents and 3 sisters who preceded her in death,
Urcel, Lucille & Ethel. I was No. 6 daughter, and sadly, the last one able to express our gratitude for the amazing life we seven sisters knew, with our incredibly remarkable love and bond that blessed us, all of our lives. We remained close after we each married and had our own families, who all welcomed sharing our love and bond, which is, & we hope will always continue, as a blessing to the next generation, to enrich their lives as ours were so richly blessed. We sisters all shared a deep gratitude to our parents, who were very strong in their principles & practice of faith, loyalty, patriotism, hard work & always, LOVE.
Their devotion & care of their daughters showed us the way we all tried to follow for our own families.
We all thank our families for their loving faithfulness to all of us, as is again now demonstrated with the love and faithfulness of Doreen's sons. May God Bless Doreen abundantly in heaven and may He continue to richly bless her sons and their families on this earth.
She will be missed, and I will never forget her many kindnesses to me & mine. Her sister, Jean Morgan
We are so sorry for the loss of Aunt Doreen. She was a wonderful person with a heart of gold. She was a joy to be around and will be missed dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Aunt Doreen was my Godmother at Baptism. Of course, then there were the good times at the lake with Grandma & Grandpa Cornelius. Holidays at Grandmas - the big long table were we had to earn our place either by getting older or ??? Remember the house on the corner by the school!!! Boy do I feel old.
I like this photo of Doreen as it captures her playful spirit. It was taken in August of 1999 in Mesa, Arizona.
Doreen Doucette Cornelius was my Aunt, (I was blessed with 6). Doreen was a true lover of life with a pure, good heart. She always made you feel comfortable and was open and honest when expressing herself. I also describe her as “spunky†(like my brother Mark), an energetic spirit. I'm sure our Heavenly Father is cradling her in His arms right now!
We lived many miles apart and didn't get to spend as much time together as we would like. Our family took a few Wisconsin vacations and Aunt Doreen came to California several times. I fondly remember a visit she made to Aunt Jean's in San Diego when I was an adult and we all had a fun time. I loved Aunt Doreen and always will.
~ Renee Menanno Dirr, Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
P.S.- The photo of Aunt Doreen and her 4 oldest sons, with my mother, Ethel, and her 5 oldest children (John, Anna, Gino, Renee & baby Lisa in her arms), was taken by my Dad in the summer of 1960 while on vacation in Antigo, Wisconsin.
Doreen Doucette Cornelius was my Aunt, (I was blessed with 6). Doreen was a true lover of life with a pure, good heart. She always made you feel comfortable and was open and honest when expressing herself. I also describe her as “spunky†(like my brother Mark), an energetic spirit. I'm sure our Heavenly Father is cradling her in His arms right now!
We lived many miles apart and didn't get to spend as much time together as we would like. Our family took a few Wisconsin vacations and Aunt Doreen came to California several times. I fondly remember a visit she made to Aunt Jean's in San Diego when I was an adult and we all had a fun time. I loved Aunt Doreen and always will.
~ Renee Menanno Dirr, Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
P.S.- The photo of Aunt Doreen and her 4 oldest sons, with my mother, Ethel, and her 5 oldest children (John, Anna, Gino, Renee & baby Lisa in her arms), was taken by my Dad in the summer of 1960 while on vacation in Antigo, Wisconsin.
I loved Aunt Doreen. I hold many memories of her at the lake while traveling during the summer. She was always outgoing, positive, upbeat and a great Aunt. I only wish I could have spent more time with her. She was a rare gem. Your niece, Anna
Doreen was my Godmother. My Mother Ethel Menanno was her youngest sister. I loved Doreen's spunk and always got a kick out her sneaking cigarettes behind peoples back that would try to get her to quit. Even though she was a woman from a past generation she was not afraid to give her own opinion.
I Love You Doreen. Mark Menanno
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