Dora May Tetzlaff, aged 89, of Osceola, Wisconsin, passed away on February 14, 2017, in Amery, WI, after a long illness.

Dora May was born on Sept 5, 1927, to Dr. Kirby and Dora (Jones) McGrew, in Grand Island, NE. She was one of four girls: two older sisters (Lillian and Patricia) and a younger sister (Chelsea). Their father's practice as a physician and surgeon had them living in several different cities in Nebraska over their early years. In these small rural locations, Dora May helped her father and mother deliver babies; she also assisted her father as he performed surgeries, and her mother as she ran a pharmacy.

Dora May spoke often of her vivid memories of the challenge of survival in the Dust Bowl storms of the 1930's. She was valedictorian of her high school class, and later graduated from Kearney State Teachers College. After just a few years of teaching, Mom found herself captivated by a handsome new teacher with a beautiful singing voice. On March 1, 1952, she married Andrew J. Tetzlaff.

Music has always been a central part of their lives. Mom also had a beautiful voice, and was a talented pianist and organist. It was music that brought them together and -- in large part -- it was music that kept them together. When the became grandparents, they recorded childhood songs for the kids, which we have and cherish.

Their first children were twins (Jay and Sheila). Within just a few years, they had two more children (Stephanie and Jonathan), so had four pre-schoolers simultaneously. In the following years, they had the final two of their six children (Clark and Andrew).

Andrew's service in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict necessitated a series of moves. After completing his military service, Andrew decided to become an ordained minister in the Lutheran Church in America, moving the growing family yet again a number of times. They eventually settled for many years in Illinois, first in Altona and later in Polo.

After some years in Polo, as her children grew, Dora May returned to teaching, initially teaching social studies to junior high school students. She later earned a Master's Degree from Northern Illinois University and spent many years teaching children with special needs, both in Dixon and Eldena, IL.

Dora May directed and sang in the church choir, and played piano and organ, at St. Marks Lutheran Church, Polo, IL, where her husband was the Minister.

Dora May retired from teaching in 1983, followed by Andrew's retirement in 1985. After decades of living in church-provided parsonages, they worked together to build their first "real" home, their beloved Log Home, in Osceola, WI. Dora May and Andrew settled in retirement in this beautiful location, but Mom continued to work in teaching, dedicating her time to teach adults how to read. One student had suffered a stroke in her 40's and lost the ability to read and write; Dora May worked closely with her to help her recover.

Dora May was published professionally in a distinguished education journal at Northern Illinois University. In retirement, she was also active in the effort to ban landmines around the world. Andrew and Dora May wintered in Mesa, AZ, for many years, but always returned to the Log Home as the weather moderated.

Dora May was exceptionally kind, patient, and loving. She was extremely supportive of her husband and children, and loved their company very much. She is survived by her husband and six children, as well as a half-brother, Kirby Poppert, 6 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Dora May was preceded in death by her sisters Lillian Ledbetter, Patricia Shireman, and Chelsea Williams.

Visitation will be held at noon on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at the Congregational Church, 201 N. Harriman Ave., Amery, WI. The Memorial Service will be held immediately thereafter, commencing at 1:00pm.

All memorials should be directed to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines or a charity which supports literacy.