Dorothy P. Reitz

Dorothy Pearl Reitz, 92, of Edmonds, WA, went to our heavenly Father on Monday, September 22, 2025. She was blessed to be comforted and loved by her family in her final days.

Dorothy was born on October 27, 1932 in Seymour, WI to William and Elsie (Willenkamp) Wendt. On November 15, 1952, she married Norman Reitz. Dorothy and Norman made their living in the food service business, starting their own restaurant, The Coffee Cup, in 1962. Her hospitality skills left many happy memories and led to many return customers. In the winter of 1971, Dorothy and her family moved to Edmonds, Washington to pursue new restaurant opportunities. They successfully ran a steakhouse and started a fish n’ chips restaurant.

She loved music and played both the accordion and organ all by ear from hymnals to polkas entertaining her family for hours. Cooking and baking were among some of her many talents. You were never able to leave her home without a delicious home cooked meal, which always included dessert. Dorothy never missed a year of coloring eggs for Easter or baking decorative Christmas cookies. Dorothy was also a talented artist. Her and Norman’s home is decorated with many beautiful pieces of ceramic art and wall décor that she meticulously created in her own kiln. She also spent hours embroidering special pieces for her loved ones. She had many fond memories of the farm from her childhood and her country roots made her into a master gardener. She loved caring for all types of flowers, but forget-me-nots were her absolute favorite. Dancing was her favorite passion, from polkas to the waltz with her husband, Norman, they shared many dances through their 72 years of marriage.

Her deep-rooted faith was the foundation upon which she built her family and lived her life by. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She leaves behind a legacy of strength, truth, and faith that will continue to guide our family forever.

Dorothy is survived by her loving husband, Norman Reitz of Edmonds, WA; her children: son, Kenneth (Lois) Reitz of Marion, WI, her first born with whom she shared her birthday, daughters: Debbie Holmes and Cynthia (Thomas) Diaz both of WA; grandchildren: Dan (Emily) Holmes, Charlie (Katy) Holmes, Marcus (Jen) Reitz, Amanda (Jeff Carlson) Reitz, Dustan Bunt, and Megan Upshaw; great grandchildren: Jayden Suttie, Jena Suttie, Calla Reitz, Brooks Carleson, and Liam Holmes; brother, Donald (Julie) Wendt; sister-in-law, Barbie (Melvin) Barcley; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was welcomed into Heaven by her parents; brothers: William Wendt Jr. and Delbert Wendt Sr.; sisters: Eleanor (Carl) Werner, Marjorie (Ray) Forbeck, and Eunice (Harold) Scheibe; as well as her beloved granddaughter and first grandchild, Jessica Reitz Suttie in 2023.

Visitation for Dorothy will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, N3972 N. Columbia Ave., Freedom, WI. Visitation will continue on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 349 N. Main St., Seymour, WI until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Dorothy will be laid to rest in Appleton’s Highland Memorial Park, 3131 N. Richmond St., Appleton, at 1:30 p.m. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle, WA in honor of Dorothy’s granddaughter, Jessica Reitz Suttie.

Romans 5:1

Therefore, now that we have been declared righteous as a result of faith let us enjoy peace with and through our Lord, Jesus Christ.