DARIEN - Dorothy Ann (Braunwarth) Freitag passed away peacefully at home on August 30, 2025 surrounded by family. She was born in Janesville, WI on January 18, 1939, the daughter of the late Dr. Isadore and Florence (Keenan) Braunwarth. She attended St. Mary Catholic School, Janesville High School and UW-Stout where she graduated with a teaching degree in Home Economics. She taught in Wausau and then at Delavan-Darien High School before starting her family and spending the rest of her lifetime loving, raising and supporting her 5 children and 12 grandchildren. They were truly her greatest pride and joy. For several decades she could be found at all her children’s events and activities - cheering from the stands and providing support behind the scenes. That support continued on with her grandchildren as she enjoyed spending her free time with them whether it was babysitting, enjoying a meal, attending a game or dance recital, or sharing her love of Disney on what became treasured annual family vacations.
Dorothy also enjoyed hosting many family get togethers at her cherished family home overlooking the pond - whether it be a big 4th of July picnic with fireworks, family reunion, Easter Egg hunt, sledding on the hill, roasting marshmallows around the fire or just relaxing on her beloved front porch while watching the sunset. Her love of cooking and baking was also much appreciated at these events and was something that she taught and passed down to her children and grandchildren. This was evident every summer as she made black raspberry jelly and strawberry jam with her grandkids and in the winter making her cherished peanut brittle. She also loved spending time with her siblings, and later their families, particularly during Lake Ripley trips that began when she was a child and extended to her children and grandchildren.
Her faith was also very important to her. She was an active member of St. Andrew Catholic Church and School, serving on numerous committees including the St. Nick Breakfast which she helped to start and ran for nearly a decade. Through all this, she forged friendships that she cherished and enjoyed for the rest of her life including spending many mornings with them enjoying breakfasts out and many cups of coffee. Her volunteer spirit also extended into the community where she was incredibly generous with her time and resources, supporting numerous charities and individuals in need. For almost a decade, she volunteered several days a week at HealthNet in Janesville where she earned their 2011 Caring Heart award. Over the past few years she was less able to do these things but she continued to be her witty, caring, loving self that cherished time with family and friends.
She is survived by her daughter Anne (Maarten) van Gerven, sons Matthew (Stephanie) Freitag, Daniel (Tammy) Freitag, and David (Jessica) Freitag; grandchildren Keenan (Faith), Kate and Ella Dorothy van Gerven; Madeleine, Luke, Joshua, Cali, Gabrielle, Alexandra, Uma, Fiona and Oscar Freitag, and her sister, Joan Klipstine, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, son, Jeffrey Freitag, brothers John and Paul Braunwarth, sisters Mary Hathorn, Sarah and Sue Braunwarth, and brothers-in-law Richard Hathorn and Richard Klipstine.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M on Friday, September 5, 2025 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, 714 E. Walworth Avenue in Delavan. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service on Friday at the church. Burial will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Janesville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Andrew Parish or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
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