Dorothy G. Ricci, 83, Schofield, died January 20, 2011, at home surrounded by family under the care of Ministry Hospice.
Dorothy was born June 9, 1927 to Henry and Olga (Savola) Nickel in Traunik, MI. She married Junior “Ric” Ricci on March 19, 1960 at St. Stephens United Church of Christ in Merrill, WI.
Dorothy grew up in Michigan and graduated from Eben high School in 1945. After graduating she worked as a telephone operator in Marquette, MI. Later Dorothy worked at The Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago as Chief File Clerk. She then moved to Green Bay, WI where she met her husband “Ric” at Uneeda Lunch where she worked as a waitress. Following her marriage to “Ric” they resided in Wausau, Green Bay and eventually moved back to Wausau in 1970 where they raised their two children, Dwayne and Randy. Even in the midst of those moves, Dorothy took care of all the clerical office work for their family owned business, Industrial Painting Service, from 1962 through 1983. She enjoyed playing cards, cooking, baking, making crafts, refinishing furniture, square dancing and was known for making the most beautiful Christmas wreaths. Dorothy cherished spending time with her children and grandchildren and loved to prepare their favorite foods.
Survivors include her husband “Ric”; two sons: Dwayne (Bonnie Wadinski) Ricci, Mosinee, Randy (Kim) Ricci, Wausau; four grandchildren: Lisa Ricci, Wausau, Cathy Wiltzius, Mosinee, Jacob and Zach Ricci, Wausau; two great-grandchildren: Emily and Keion; two sisters: Juanita (Paul) Holmgren, Wausaukee; Helen (Russell) Whitmeyer, LaVerne, Ca; two brother-in-laws: Robert Serfas, Marquette, MI and Robert (Patti) Ricci, Irma, WI; four sisters-in-law: Darlene (John) Losacco , Charlotte, NC, Peggy (William) Anderson, DePere, WI, Linda (Chet) Rhinehart, Merrill, WI, and Bonnie Nickel, Kaukauna, WI: mother-in-law: Clara Ricci, Merrill; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Ronald and George Nickel, one sister, Viola Serfas, one sister-in-law, Carol Nickel and her father-in-law,Angelo Ricci.
Services will be held 10:30 AM on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at Zion Lutheran Church in Wausau. The Rev. Steven Gjerde will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 – 8 PM Monday, January 24, 2011 at Waid Funeral Home and again from 9:30 AM until the time of service at the church. Burial will be in Merrill Memorial Park. Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.