In Memoriam, Dolores Sauter, 1931-2022
In stillness and peace, following a lifetime of love, Dolores Sauter (née Brake) began her eternal life as an angel of God on Friday, September 2nd, 2022. Reaching the age of 91, Dolores was born in Bismarck on June 26th, 1931 and grew up in Jamestown, North Dakota, later living for 57 years in Milwaukee, WI. Her legacy continues with children Michael Sauter, Richard (Kathy) Sauter, Marilyn (Bob) Pekarske, granddaughter Samantha Pekarske, and kitty cat, Ziggy. She has since reunited with beloved husband Thomas Sauter, parents George & Pauline Brake, siblings Donald, Robert, Carol, and partner-in-crime, Jerry. In the kingdom of Heaven, she is playing with her cherished puppy, Maggie, and watching over her family as they celebrate and mourn the treasured years they spent with Dolores.
In 1955, Dolores took a train to Madison, WI to visit her cousin, where she serendipitously met the handsome sailor that would become her husband, Thomas “Tommy” Sauter. After returning home, she continued writing to him, finally agreeing to a date with one simple request: that he help her move into an apartment in Madison. Their love was certain and moved quickly, marrying on October 27th, 1956 and continuing for 48 years until Tommy’s passing in 2005.
Together, they lived a beautiful, adventurous, and charmed life, traveling to Iceland together for Tommy’s Air Force deployment and honeymooning in Stuttgart, Germany. Eventually, they moved to Milwaukee, WI, where the couple both worked at Briggs & Stratton, a place that eventually brought together Dolores and her best friend, Lorraine. The two friends were known for their well-meaning mischief, particularly Dolores’ trips to visit Lorraine in Las Vegas, where they took in comedy shows and, in a twist of fate, met comedians Ray Romano and Kevin James, leading to a backstage meet & greet.
Dolores was known for her sweet-and-sassy attitude, which was always on display with her close, loving family. For years, she babysat and helped raise her granddaughter, and kept tight-knit relationships with her children, participating in and hosting family dinners as well as holidays. Her home was always full of angels, a love of hers, and she told many stories about the loved ones who gifted many of the statuettes in her sprawling collection. It was apparent that she was adored by many, as was evident by her very own choir of angels.
The Sauter family welcomes you to a celebration of life on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 4:00 PM with a service to follow at 6:00 PM at Krause Funeral Home, 9000 Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The family extends its thanks to nurse Nicki and Miss Katie, as well as the entire staff of Horizon Home Hospice.
To our mom and grandma: we will miss you always, and will always hold your memory close within our hearts. We love you, forever and ever, and we too know that we are loved.