Estella Jane Dowidat

Estella Jane Dowidat, age 88 of Oakfield, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2009 at All About Life Rehabilitation Center in Fond du Lac, surrounded by her loving family.

Stell was born on March 7, 1921 in Harford, WI, the daughter of Charles and Hildagarde (Reichert) Leidholdt. She attended grade school and 1 ½ years of high school in Hartford, then moved to Oakfield and graduated from Oakfield High School. Stell furthered her education by attending Wisconsin Academy of Cosmetic Art in Milwaukee, and then worked in several beauty shops in Fond du Lac. On October 15, 1940 she was united in marriage to John W. Dowidat by his father Pastor John L. Dowidat at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakfield. They moved to Big Spring, Texas where John was stationed in the United States Air Force. Following his discharge, they came back home to Oakfield where they operated Steiners Greenhouse, and Stell attended Brights School of Floral Design in Chicago, IL. Later she was employed as a telephone operator, and then with the Oakfield School District. Stell worked at Oakfield Apparatus for many years where she packaged and shipped soil samples. She and her husband spent many enjoyable years at their Lake Poygan cottage. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and working crossword puzzles. Stell has been a member of St. Luke’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Oakfield since 1940.

Stell is survived by her daughter, Mary Kay Alba, Florida; three sons, John L. (Bonnie) Dowidat of Oakfield; David Dowidat; and Jim (Gladys) Dowidat both of Fond du Lac; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; her sister, Jean (Dale) Burleton, IL; two sisters-in-law, Dolly (Mel) Damrow, Montana; and Mary, Jane (Howard) Weger, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband John in 2001; a granddaughter; three sisters, and one brother.

The funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2009, at St Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 245 S. 2nd Street, Oakfield, with Pastor Christopher Goelzer officiating. Burial will follow at Avoca Cemetery in Oakfield.

Estella’s family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of services.

A Memorial fund has been established in Estella’s name for St. Luke’s Ev. Lutheran Church and All About Life Rehabilitation Center.