Konkol, Dorothea Steppler

Dorothea Steppler Konkol passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025, in Greenfield, Wisconsin.  The youngest of five children born to Fred and Eulalia (Doyle) Steppler, Dorothea had a happy childhood on the family farm in Highland, Wisconsin.  She was an accomplished musician and vocalist who attended Edgewood College in Madison. She graduated earning her Teacher’s Certificate from what is now the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. 

After graduation, she went on an epic trip west to Montana (in her new Ford) with her siblings and treasured Uncle Paul Steppler. There she sang a long-remembered version of “The Indian Love Call” at a community dance at the Grange Hall near Polebridge, Montana. She returned to Wisconsin to begin her career, teaching high school in Augusta. She was younger than some of her students; she skipped a few grades in middle and high school and enrolled in double sessions in college, attending classes alongside soldiers who were returning from WWII. 

Upon being hired as the traveling music teacher for the Country Day Schools throughout Jackson County, she moved to Black River Falls where she met her future husband Allan at breakfast at Hilda’s Café. She and Allan raised their daughters in West Allis where they were members of St. Rita’s parish. They lived briefly in Beaver Dam before moving to their retirement home on Killarney Lake near Tomahawk, Wisconsin, after spending many summers and weekends at the A-frame they built in the north woods they loved. 

Prior to moving to her retirement community in Greenfield, Dorothea lived once again in Black River Falls where she was known to enjoy a good book and a bowl of butternut squash soup. In Black River Falls (member, St. Joseph’s parish), she was grateful for the assistance and support she received from Interfaith Caregivers and their helpers. She considered herself blessed to live near and become friends with Rhonda Ammann and the entire Ammann family who she called “the best neighbors ever.”

Dorothea is survived by her daughters, Julie (husband, William and son, Will and partner, Bokai) and Karen (husband Devon) as well as cousins and many devoted (grand) nieces and nephews, all of whom she was very fond. 

Dorothea’s family is grateful for the care provided mom in her later years by Jennifer, Renee M., Julie W., Jan, Eileen, Kelly, Alex, Bob, Ramona, Eddie, Karyn, Diab, Frank M. and the many aides in Spring House and helpers throughout Layton Terrace who, with their caring hearts, showed mom kindness every day. The family would like to especially thank Pam and Jim, Ann and Bob, Rhonda, Patty and Mary Lou. The family is grateful for Allay Hospice.

May Dorothea always be remembered as having a song in her heart.

The funeral services for Dorothea will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Guardian Angels St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Black River Falls, WI. A visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Black River Falls, WI.

Buswell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.