Fennimore – Alice Doeringsfeld Gustafson, age 96, of Fennimore, died on Sunday morning Sept. 6, 2015 at the Fennimore Good Samaritan Society.
Alice was born on Jan. 16, 1919 at home in Castle Rock Township, Grant Co. WI, the daughter of George and Mabel (Williams) Hulsether. She was united in marriage with Donald Doeringsfeld on Oct. 13, 1940 at the Castle Rock Lutheran Church. To this union three daughters were born: Kay, Ann and Mary. Don preceded her in death on June 15, 1975. On July 31, 1982 Alice married Dr. Wayne Gustafson. He also preceded her in death on Dec. 11, 1999.
Alice worked many jobs. Before her marriage she was a waitress at the Fenway Café. After her marriage, she and Don were stationed at Fort Hood, TX before returning to Fennimore to live with her in-laws during WWII. During this time, she worked at Parker Pen and was the first union steward for the plant. When the war ended, she became a housewife again. Later, she worked as a cook for the Fennimore School District and a baking instructor at Southwest Tech in Fennimore. She also had her own business baking and decorating wedding cakes.
Alice enjoyed oil painting, volunteering at her church and playing cards. She was a wonderful cook and her sweet rolls were welcome everywhere. The family would like to thank the Fennimore Good Samaritan Society for their wonderful and compassionate care for Alice.
Alice is survived by her daughters; Ann (Terry) Brechler of Cherry Valley, IL and Mary (Allen) Campbell of Watertown; step-children Susan (Gerald) Koosmann of Hudson, WI and Burton (Jean) Gustafson of Blain, MN; grandchildren Pam, Jeff, Heather, Donald, Eva, and Anna; great-grandchildren Dustin, Melissa, Jerry Jr., Rachel, Josh, and Sarah; brother Charles Hulsether of Viroqua, daughter-in-love Merry Cooley of Fennimore, along with nieces, nephews and many friends.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Donald and Wayne, daughter Kay Lillo, grandson Michael Lillo, brother Gordon Hulsether, sister Leona Yelinek, and sister-in-law Harriet Hulsether.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday Sept. 10, 2015 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fennimore with burial to follow in the Prairie cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church on Thursday morning.