Dorothy Lahners

Dorothy G. Lahners, 84, of Siren Township passed away Sunday, February 22, 2015, surrounded by her children. Born in Elmhurst, Illinois on March 13, 1930, to Walter and Maria Dorothea Mothes, Dorothy grew up in Glen Elyn, Illinois. After her graduation from Glenbard High School in 1948, the family moved to the Mud Hen Lake area. Dorothy worked as a grain exchange clerk in the Twin Cities. She also was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Falun, working with the Sunday School children and youth group. On October 15, 1960, Dorothy was united in marriage to Kenneth Frank Lahners of Falun. The couple raised seven children on their farm south of Siren. Dorothy was very active in the Bethany Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School, and participating in sewing circle and Bible study. She was known for her cakes and decorated many for confirmations, graduations, and weddings, as well as for the former Capeside Cove Nursing Home and the church. Dorothy served as a 4-H leader in Burnett County, most prominently as the leader of the Wood Creek 4-H club from the 1960s to the early 1990s. She was a charter member of the Siren Ag Association and worked at its annual Dairy Breakfast. For many years, Dorothy worked as a cleaning lady in local motels and resorts, cabins, and private residences. From 1996 to 2006, Dorothy was employed at the Inter-County Leader in Frederic. Dorothy enjoyed sewing, gardening, reading, woodworking, making puzzles, traveling, spending time with family, being at her Mud Hen Lake cabin, and was a fabulous cook and baker. Dorothy held a strong Christian faith and devoted her life to serving others. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Kenneth, daughter Sandra Dunker, two brothers Wolfgang Mothes and Gordon Mothes. Dorothy is survived by six children: Donna Floren and husband Don of Royal City, WA; Kurt Lahners of Siren; Nancy Hunter and husband Scott of Luck; Kent Lahners and wife Sally of Alpha; Kenneth Lahners and wife Naomi of Marquette, MI; Kristin Lahners of Pound, WI; eleven grandchildren: John Floren and wife Muskan; David, Helen, and Dorothy Floren; William and Alex Dunker; Kyle and Jared Hunter; Arik Hochstetler, Luke and Grace Lahners; two brothers: Gunther Mothes and wife Peggy of Anaheim Hills, CA and Rudolf Mothes and wife Ruth of Siren; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Services will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, with the Reverend Paul Peterson officiating. Visitation will be at the Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Siren on Wednesday, February 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. and at the church on Thursday one hour prior to services. Interment will be at the Lakeview Cemetery in Daniels Township. Arrangements were made by Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home Siren, Wisconsin. Online condolences can be made at Swedberg-taylor.com