Dolores A. Klemp

Dolores A. Klemp (nee Drzewiecki) of Fredonia passed away unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, true to her wishes of where she wanted to be. She was 89 years old. 

Dolores was born a proud Pole on Nov. 17, 1936, the daughter of Vincent and Victoria (nee Look)  Drzewiecki.

On Aug. 16, 1958, Dolores married Donald Klemp. The couple made Fredonia their home, raising eight children. 

Dolores grew up on the family farm in Saukville and later told stories of how she and her brothers would walk to school in the worst weather. She graduated from Cedarburg High School in 1954.

Although she had dreams of becoming a teacher, she continued to help out on the farm. Afterwards, she worked for Hi-Tran in Waubeka and EST Co. in Grafton. She often spoke of how she happily spent the majority of her employment working for Simplicity in Port Washington as a spray painter, retiring in 2001 after 30 years and only missing one day of work. 

Growing up, Dolores enjoyed stock car and snowmobile racing. She participated in demolition derbies. She enjoyed yearly family vacations to Poskin Lake Resort, where she liked to fish. 

Known for her famous Packer tractor and pistachio cake, Dolores enjoyed cooking and baking and waking up in the wee hours of the morning to start her coffee that she drank all day. She also enjoyed a good fish fry and a beer.   

She was passionate about her lawn care — thatching, reseeding, cutting, removing leaves, picking up every branch. Dolores loved getting her hands dirty outside, fixing things and planting flowers. She enjoyed polka dancing, going to Menards and doing scratch-offs. 

Dolores was a strong, patient, caring, hard-working and knowledgeable woman. She played an important role in her grandchildren’s lives and was always there to help and support them. Good for laughs and speaking her mind, she enjoyed socializing with her friends and neighbors and loved visits from her family. They would never leave her house empty-handed. Her face would light up when she saw her great-grandchildren. Dolores enjoyed nature while sitting on her back deck. In recent years, she could be found watching TV and resting in her favorite rocking chair while making a grocery list or writing down lottery numbers. 

Dolores is survived by her children Kenneth (Debbie), Linda, Keith, Kathi Watry, Cindy and Kevin; grandchildren Jeremy, Timothy (Rebecca), Angela, Jaime (Bryce) Kaczor, Kris (Renell), Kenny, Cody (Elise), Brendon, Noah (Arianna) Watry, Alexandria Waning, Justin Watry, Elizabeth (Brandon) Mikulski, Gabrielle Watry, Sierra Thisted-Klemp, Erin Thisted-Klemp, Seth (Micaela) Knapp, Ellie (Harvey) Crossman and Chloe Antross; great-grandchildren Breanna, Henry, Ryder, Delilah, Nathaniel, Athin, Quentin, Zayden, Aydan, Ethan, Drake, Dylan, Duane, Mason, Alana, Gaige, Hudson, Parker, Carter, Mason, Presley, Savannah, Marlena, Melody, Seneca and Halle; great-great-grandchild Paisley; sister-in-law Evelyn Tetzlaff; more adored grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Although her family’s hearts are broken, Dolores will finally get the rest that she deserves. 

She is preceded in death by her husband Donald, parents Vincent and Victoria, parents-in-law Oscar and Leona, sons Duane and Jeffrey, brothers Robert, Ralph and Florian, sisters-in-law, nephew Ralph Jr., grandson Travis and her favorite cat Scooter. 

A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Eernisse Funeral Home, 1600 W. Grand Ave., Port Washington, WI 53074. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home from noon to 2 p.m.    

Eernisse Funeral Home of Port Washington is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.