Dorothy Meletta George
April 3, 1935 — April 29, 2023
Dorothy Meletta George, 88, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully with her children by her side on April 29, 2023, at Pine Haven Christian Home in Sheboygan Falls, WI, after a lengthy struggle with Parkinson’s.
She was born on April 3, 1935, to Nicholas and Helen (Burkhart) Schnettler in Sheboygan. After graduating from St. Dominic Elementary and North High School, she attended St. Mary’s Catholic School of Nursing in Milwaukee, WI. Summers were spent working as a waitress in Elkhart Lake, WI.
Dorothy had a successful and rewarding career as a Registered Nurse and Nursing Administrator. She spent over 35 years as a nurse at St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan, WI. After returning to school, she graduated with a master’s in public administration in 1985. Before leaving St. Nicholas Hospital, she rose to the position of Assistant Administrator. Following her tenure at St. Nicholas Hospital, she was a senior administrator at Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton, AR, before founding QUALvue, her own hospital joint commission review consulting company.
Dorothy met Ronald Manser in a group of high school friends, and they married on October 13, 1956, at St. Dominic Church. Dorothy and Ronnie went on to have five children: Richard Joseph Manser (Sarah), Minneapolis. MN; Lori Ann Lacy (Gary), Elkhart Lake, WI; Lynn Marie Shovan, Elkhart Lake, WI; Juli Ann Manser, Deer Park, WI; David John Manser (Stephanie), Balboa Island, CA.
Ronnie died suddenly on January 27, 1970, and Dorothy started her journey of raising five children as a single mother. Fortunately, she had the strong support of her older siblings, extended family, and close friends to help her out. She met Harold George through friends, and after dating for several years, they were married on November 26, 1976. Harold’s children, Terrie Meyer and Tammie George, joined the family when Dorothy married Harold. Harold passed away on October 26, 2016.
Dorothy also celebrated the birth of 13 grandchildren: Bryan Lacy (Missy), Steven Lacy (Mel) and Jenna Dankle (Eric); Jake and Sydney Shovan; Sabin and Galen Coy; Joseph Manser; Hannah, Molly, and Lilah Manser, Eric Cobian and Kelsie Meyer (fiancée Ryan). She also has two great-grandchildren: Oliver and Declan Lacy, and two more on the way.
Dorothy always looked for an opportunity to encourage aspiring young healthcare providers and was not shy about providing expert advice to seasoned healthcare professionals. She also gave back to her community by supporting organizations such as Safe Harbor, a domestic violence shelter in Sheboygan that she helped establish.
Golfing was a big part of Dorothy’s life. She and Harold built a house that they lived in from 1993 to 2015 on the 15th hole of the Balboa Golf Course in Hot Springs Village, AR. She was also an avid Green Bay Packers fan and enjoyed many tailgating events and games at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. But most of all, she cherished spending time with her family, especially holidays and large family gatherings.
She is survived by all her children and grandchildren, sister Catherine Reichert of Sturgeon Bay, WI, sister-in-law Joan Schnettler of Appleton, WI, sister-in-law Sue (Ken) Leibham of Sheboygan, WI, 55 nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws Joseph and Blondina Manser; husbands Ronnie Manser and Harold George; siblings William, Nicholas, Robert, Jerome, Marion Wagner, Gert Rupnick, and son-in-law Steve Coy.
A Catholic Mass of Burial will take place on Friday, May 5, 2023, at 12:00 pm at St. Dominic Catholic Church (2133 N 22nd St, Sheboygan). Prior to mass, relatives and friends may visit with the family on Friday, May 5, 2023, between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the exceptional care provided to Dorothy by the staff of Pine Haven Christian Community and Sharon Richardson Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be provided in Dorothy’s name to Safe Harbor at Donate » Safe Harbor (sheboygansafeharbor.org).
Obituary submitted by Fawn Schaefer, Manager, Licensed Funeral Director, Ballhorn Chapels Funeral & Cremation Care Center
