Racine – Dorothy M. (nee: Kothe) Kuzia, age 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in the morning on Sunday, December 20, 2015 at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center.

Dorothy was born in Racine on June 17, 1923 to the late Herman and Verna (nee: Harter) Kothe. She attended St. Patrick's Grade School and graduated from Wm. Horlick High School "Class of 1941". On October 28, 1950 at Holy Name Catholic Church, she was united in marriage with the love of her life, Edward P. Kuzia.

Dorothy was a faithful member of St. Lucy Catholic Church where she attended daily Mass and was active with the Altar Society. Dorothy loved the tradition of baking thousands of Christmas cookies with her sisters, and later with her daughters and granddaughters. She also enjoyed gathering with her friends to play cards at Lake Oaks, preparing Wednesday dinners for family, and above all spending countless hours at the kitchen table sharing conversation with her family. She amazingly remembered each and every birthday of loved ones near and far, and commemorated special events with her well-known gift of a two dollar bill. There was not a time when a person in Dorothy's presence didn't feel as though they were the center of her world – she was thoughtful, gracious and wise to no end.  Memories she has created are cherished deeply by many.

Surviving are her children, Susan (John) Schliesmann, Barb (Mark) Lacke, Patricia (Gary) Meier, Kathy Kuzia, Randal Kuzia (Sandy Carreno), Mary (Jim) McDowell, Bill (Barrie) Kuzia & Margie Kuzia; grandchildren, Greg, Michael & Brad Schliesmann; Kara (Jeff) Batchelor, Heather (Steve) Weyda, Jamie (Josh) Hewitt; Christopher (Karin), Eric (Laura), Billy (Megan Metzger), & Kaitlin Meier; Shannon (Angel) Cortez; Adrianne (Andy) Marinkovich, Jason Wemmert; David & Christy (Raven Lopez) Kuzia; Laura (Warren) Anderson; Tricia (Juston) Love, Jake (Lisa) McDowell, Jay (Megan), Danny (Chandler Chardukian) & Brady Kuzia; great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Grace, Sam & Elise Weyda; Athena, Alina & Jason Jr. Wemmert; Jackson, Emmaleigh, Levi & Ari Meier; Ava & Hannah Batchelor; Eleanora & Leo Marinkovich; Lincoln Anderson; Camp & Cedar Love; brother, Orville Kothe; sisters, Jane (Dick) Martin & Karen Berger; sisters-in-law, Geraldine (Gil) Zimprich, Genevieve Kuzia & Charlotte Kothe; nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends too numerous to name but not forgotten.

In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward Kuzia; her dear grandson, Matt Lacke; brothers & sisters, Roy, Don, May and Gertrude Kothe, Evelyn (Edward) DeGroot, Lorraine (Paul) Wiesner; Edward's parents, Paul & Eleanora (nee: Ombreska) Kuzia; and in-laws Tony Berger; Paul (Lucille) & Stanley Kuzia; and Sophie (Ed) Hilicki.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 28, 2015 at 11:00 am in Saint Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Entombment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Sunday, December 27 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm with a prayer service offered at 3:40 pm and prior to the funeral at church from 10:00 to 11:00 am.

A special note of thanks to her devoted caregiver and daughter, Margie Kuzia, aide Nikki Solis and to ANS Home Health Services.