Visitation
Sunday, July 14, 2024
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM CDT
Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home
Racine Location
803 Main St.
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 634-7888
Driving Directions
Visitation
Monday, July 15, 2024
10:00 AM to 10:30 AM CDT
St. Rita Catholic Church
4339 Douglas Avenue
Racine, WI 53402
Service
Monday, July 15, 2024
10:30 AM CDT
St. Rita Catholic Church
4339 Douglas Avenue
Racine, WI 53402
Life Story / Obituary
Dee Torphy, age 96, of Racine, WI, passed away on July 4, 2024.
Delores Grace (Bohen) Torphy was born May 16, 1928, to Thomas F. Bohen and Grace E. (Granger) Bohen in Summit Township, Juneau County, WI. She grew up on her parents’ farm in Mauston, WI and graduated from Mauston High School in 1946. Born with a severe heart murmur, Delores wasn’t expected to live to 21. It was considered a miracle that her heart corrected itself. While on the farm she held great pride in herself for breaking in her mustang horse.
She attended the University of Wisconsin - Extension Division before working in the office of the County Home Agent and then as a telephone operator and training supervisor. She continued her work life at the office of the Register of Deeds before setting out to Milwaukee and a job at General Merchandise Company.
On November 4, 1961, Dee married Thomas E. Torphy at Holy Cross Church in Milwaukee. They had five children: Michael, Kathleen, Mary, Patricia and Ruth, making for a lively household.
Dee loved ballroom dancing, traveling, and contributing her time and talents to local politics. She also enjoyed staying connected to her many friends.
Dee is survived by her daughters: Kathleen (Jeff) McMahon, Mary Torphy, Patricia (Norbert) Gedemer and Ruth Torphy. Also survived by grandchildren Therese (Gedemer) Brady, Thomas and Andrea Gedemer, Caitlyn McMahon, Michael and Kayla Rosquist, Megan Gedemer, Adam Rosquist and Jarod McMahon.
She was preceded in death by parents, Thomas and Grace Bohen; her beloved son Michael in 1991, husband Tom in 2012; brothers Keith Bohen and Patrick Bohen, and sisters-in-law Kathleen Hoyi and Eileen Luettgen.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rita Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Ave, Monday, July 15, 2024, 10:30 am. with Fr. Thomas Vathappallil officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet Sunday at the funeral home 2-4 pm and on Monday at the church 10-10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Operation Smile, the Alzheimer’s Assn, or St. Rita Catholic Church.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Parkview Gardens for their loving and compassionate care.