Dorene L. Talerico, 92, received her wings on December 16, 2025, when she passed away peacefully at Arbor Village in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
She was born on June 9, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas, to Walter and Helen (Johnson) Mensing. She grew up with her younger sister, Sandra, and spent every summer with the family at the Gulf Coast in Rockport, Texas. In 2011, she moved to Wisconsin to be closer to her family. She made numerous new friends in her second home and enjoyed eating the famous “Wisconsin cheese”. Despite moving, she never stopped cheering on the Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs or being a proud Texan.
Dorene was the kind of person people felt comfortable around. She listened more than she spoke, remembered the little things, and made others feel seen and cared for. Family, faith, and kindness shaped how she lived, and she offered the same warmth to everyone she met. She believed that how you treat people matters most.
Dorene was happily married to her husband, Louis Talerico, for 43 years after meeting at the Turner Bowling Club. She spoke of him often and with great love, and his memory remained close to her heart.
She was involved in her community and gave her time generously. Dorene served as PTA President at St. Mary Magdalen and volunteered at both school and church. Throughout her life, she enjoyed bowling, crafting, baking, playing bingo, and especially cheering on her beloved San Antonio Spurs. Later, she developed a passion for anything with an owl and had many fun items in her collection.
She is survived by her daughter, Melissa (Talerico) Stolow and husband David Stolow; her granddaughter, Elizabeth Stolow; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved deeply and was incredibly proud of.
Dorene was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Helen (Johnson) Mensing; her sister, Sandra (Mensing) Kristek and husband Jerome Kristek; and her husband, Louis Talerico.
A private service will be held at a later date.
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