Doris Pauline Zwickey

Doris Pauline Mehlman Zwickey of Oshkosh passed away Oct. 26, 2017 in Oshkosh. Doris was born in Oshkosh November 11, 1925, to Milton and Genevieve (Jean) Jenkins Mehlman. She graduated from Oshkosh High School in June 1943. On Jan. 16, 1954, she married Wayne Zwickey in Oshkosh. They made their first home in Reno, Nevada, and then moved to Platteville, Wisconsin, where they resided for 17 years.

While living in Platteville, Doris received a BA in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, graduating with highest honors. In June 1967, she received a master’s degree in elementary education, again with highest honors. She had studied for her graduate degree while working as a second-grade teacher, raising three children and very ably coping with her husband’s frequent and sometimes lengthy work-related absences. Throughout, she maintained a perfect 4.0 grade-point average at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Upon receiving her master’s degree, Doris became the reading consultant for the Platteville School District. In that capacity, she worked with all the elementary and secondary teachers on improving the methods of teaching reading. She also taught remedial reading classes. After Wayne accepted a job in Canada, Doris taught for several years in Oakville, Ontario, where they lived. After six years in Canada, Doris and Wayne returned to their roots when Wayne joined Kimberly-Clark in Neenah. Doris was a substitute teacher in the Neenah school system for a short while before retiring. Doris loved teaching and her students; in turn, they loved and respected her. Also while living in Neenah, she became an Adjunct Professor of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She volunteered at the Theda Clark gift shop and delivered Meals on Wheels. In addition, she served on the Neenah-Menasha Visiting Nurses Association Board of Directors and was elected its president during her tenure. After Wayne retired and they moved back to Oshkosh, Doris volunteered at the Mercy Hospital Gift Shop.

Above all else, Doris loved being with her family. She was naturally quiet, modest and retiring, as well as loving, kind and completely selfless. She placed the needs and concerns of others ahead of her own.

Doris was an avid card player, belonging to several bridge clubs in Neenah and Oshkosh. She especially enjoyed playing sheepshead with her childhood and teenage friends. She loved to read and gratefully passed this love on to her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed spending the winter months in Arizona and traveling to distant and out-of-the-way places with Wayne. She accompanied Wayne several times on some of his geological trips, traveling by bush planes and helicopters to get to the remote exploration camps where Wayne worked.

Doris will be mourned by her husband, Wayne, their three children: Carol Lynn (Merl) Austin of Wild Rose, Wisconsin, and Goodyear, Arizona, James (Carol) and Lisa, both of Oshkosh. Also mourning her are her five grandchildren: Angela (Glenn) Koerner, Greenville, Wisconsin, Paula (Geoff) Bastow, Longmont, Colorado, Thomas (Sara) Austin, Neenah, Wisconsin, and Amy (Brandon) Barkalow and Anna (Dewain) Gilbert, both of Oshkosh. She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren: Paige and Austin Zarate, Talia and Kyler Austin, Samantha and Jacob Bastow, Weston and Everly Gilbert, and Ava Barkalow. Also surviving is her beloved sister Carol Clochesy of Oshkosh, her niece Lory, grandnephew Patrick (Rachel) Clochesy, and many cousins on her mother’s side.

Visitation for Doris will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Calvary Lutheran Church, 2580 W. 9th Ave., Oshkosh. Services will follow at 11 a.m with Rev. Karen Jewell officiating. Burial will be in the family plot at the New Elm Cemetery in Black Wolf Township.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or mailed to: Alzheimer’s Association, National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17 Chicago, IL 60601.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Park View Health Center for their loving and excellent care of Doris these past three years.