Dorothy J. (Bartholomew) Kowald

POYNETTE/CATAWBA – Dorothy J. (Bartholomew) Kowald, age 90, passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

Dorothy was born on February 20, 1935, in Lodi, Wisconsin, the daughter of John and Martha (Radar) Bartholomew. She graduated from Poynette High School and embarked on a journey of love when she married Arnold Kowald, the love of her life, on August 28, 1953.

Her love of sewing, crafting, knitting, crocheting, flowers, gardening, and the great outdoors which led her to many camping and fishing trips that brought her immense pleasure. She retired from Oconomowoc Canning Company, in Poynette, after many years and, before that – in the 60’s, she volunteered as a Girl Scout leader in the Poynette community.  Dorothy’s greatest joys were found with her family.   

She is survived by her two children, James and Jean (Tim) Holmes; sisters-in-law, Corinda Kowald and Candace Kowald; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Martha; her husband, Arnold; all of her siblings, Mabel (Glenn) Thurber, Betty (Charles) Krueger, Margaret (Harold) Rizer, Lola (Floyd) Thurber, Victor (Louise) Bartholomew, Joseph (Frances) Bartholomew, Robert (Jean) Bartholomew, James Bartholomew, and Lloyd Bartholomew; sister-in law, Betty (Thomas) Hitchcock; and brothers-in-law, Alwood Kowald and Allan Kowald.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, in Poynette, Wisconsin. A graveside service will follow at the Dekorra Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery.

Dorothy’s family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Hope Hospice Care for the kind and compassionate care they provided Dorothy in her final days.