Dorothy (nee:Gustafson) Kiehlbauch, 88, of Titusville, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 surrounded by loving family and with great support from St. Francis Hospice Care. She was born in Racine, Wisconsin on October 18, 1929, the daughter of Frank and Frances (Roeschen) Gustafson. She graduated from Park High School, Racine, Wisconsin ~ Class of 1948, a school she cherished, and continued throughout her life to be in contact with her classmates. She played an active role in her High School and served as Class Secretary during her tenure at Park High School. Dorothy married John Kiehlbauch on August 26, 1950. They lived in Madison, Wisconsin, Chicago, Illinois and Racine, Wisconsin while she raised her family and established her career with Sears. She and her husband John moved to Florida in 1980, first to Ft. Lauderdale, and then to Titusville in 1983.
She was a remarkable woman, strong in faith, resilient, empathetic and always optimistic. Her favorite saying to her family was to make sure to take time to "Stop and Smell the Roses" because life is precious and should be embraced fully by everyone you encounter. She was a prolific letter writer, still in constant contact with her childhood friends and all the people who crossed her path throughout her life.
Surviving her are her Husband of 67 years, John J Kiehlbauch; her sister, Joyce Zawatzke, Minnesota; her beloved children: Jeffrey J Kiehlbauch, Titusville, Florida; John J Kiehlbauch Jr. and his wife Pamela (Corday) Kiehlbauch, Los Angeles, California; Kay (Kiehlbauch) Nannet and husband Tim of New Richmond, Indiana, and her grandchildren: Solange Nicole Kiehlbauch of Pismo Beach, California; Quinton Nannet, Indianapolis, Indiana and Andie Nannet of New Richmond, Indiana, and many nieces, nephews and friends that span the breadth of the United States.
She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Frances Gustafson, her eldest sister Myrtle (Gustafson) Mohrbacher, her nieces, Carol Kiehlbauch Chambers and Kathryn Mohrbacher Charlton, and by many other beloved brother and sisters in law.
Dorothy Kiehlbauch left us with a rich legacy of memories and great wisdom as to how to carry on with our lives in her absence. She will remain present forever in our hearts and souls and continue to aid and comfort us from her Heavenly Presence.
Dorothy's funeral service will be held at Brevard Memorial Funeral Home - 5475 N. U.S. Highway #1, Cocoa, Florida 32927 on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 1:30pm. Dorothy will be entombed at Brevard Memorial Park following the service.
My mother requested ~ that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name ro Hospice of St. Francis ~ 1250 Grumman Place, Titusville, Florida 32780 (321)269-4240 and/or Indian River City Methodist Church ~ 1355 Cheney Highway, Titusville, Florida 32780 (321)267-7922.
