Dorothy Fenzl Schwartz

Oshkosh -- Dorothy Fenzl Schwartz died April 17 at Mercy Hospital after a short illness and a long battle with heart disease. Her daughter and oldest son were by her side.



Dorothy was born to Alois and Delia Fenzl September 28, 1927 and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a BBA in 1949. She and Edward Schwartz were married on June 27, 1949 in Park Falls, Wisconsin. Dorothy and Ed and their children had lived in Oshkosh, where Ed was a professor of biology, since 1958. Ed died in 1995.



Dorothy was a member of St Peter Catholic Parish, and received the St. Patrick award in 1999. She served the parish on the St Peter's Board of Education, the Parish Council, and the Social Concerns Committee.



Dorothy led an active, engaged life in the community. She was a Winnebago County Board member for 22 years and was on the Community Programs Board and served as the First Chair of the Human Services Board. She served on the Park View Health Center Board. In 1995, she was recognized by the Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP) as the state's Outstanding Community Action Board Member. Dorothy also served on the Oshkosh United Way Board of Directors and was the local chapter president and a state board member of the Wisconsin League of Women Voters. The Lake Shore Kiwanis Club recognized her civic commitment in 1999 with their Distinguished Citizen Award.



Dorothy Fenzl Schwartz is survived by her five children and their spouses: Mary L. Schwartz and her civil union partner Euan Bear of Bakersfield, Vermont; Philip Schwartz and his wife Carole of Oshkosh; Andrew Schwartz and his wife Elaine "Bunkie" Miller and their daughter Allison of Milwaukee; Paul and Jean Schwartz and their children Madeline and Brian of Madison; and Robert Schwartz and his wife Dr. Cheryl Muller and their daughter Claudia of Eau Claire. She is also survived by her brothers Father Roderick Fenzl, O. Praem; William Fenzl and his wife Pauline; Lawrence Fenzl; James Fenzl and his wife Ceilia; and by her loving sister Mary Ann Kramer and her husband Richard.



The Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, April 21, at St. Peter Catholic Church at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. Robert Kollath and Rev. Roderick Fenzl officiating. Family and friends may visit from 1:30 to the time of the service. Arrangements are being made by Seefeld Funeral and Cremation Services. Condolences may be given online at www.seefeldfuneral.com. In accordance with Dorothy's wishes, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be sent to the Edward Schwartz Scholarship Fund, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Foundation, 842 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901-3551