Dorothy "Dottie" Marie Garski

Dorothy “Dottie” Marie Garski, age 82, was reunited with her beloved husband on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Froedtert South Hospital in Pleasant Prairie, WI. She was born May 8, 1943, in Ontario, California, the daughter of the late Lester and Audrey Frances Rebhan/Hoffman (née Sears).

While her stepfather served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in French Morocco, North Africa, Dottie graduated from French Morocco High School in 1961. It was at Nouasseur Air Base that she served as a DJ at the base radio station and met the love of her life, Airman Lawrence “Larry” Garski. They were united in marriage on July 7, 1962, and made their home in Racine, where they raised their five children. Larry preceded her in death on July 29, 2022.

Dottie’s life was filled with music. A gifted vocalist and stand-up bass player, she performed alongside Larry, who played the drums, in groups such as Dottie and the Deboniers and the Lloyd Wolfe Quartet. She later attended dental assistant school and built a career in healthcare before concluding her professional journey at Johnson Bank. Dottie was a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Dottie found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved sweets, reading, cooking and baking, knitting and crocheting, dancing, bowling, and playing games on the computer. She enjoyed watching Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, visiting the casino, going out for Mexican food, and cheering on the Milwaukee Brewers. She will be fondly remembered as an amazing cook especially her famous tacos, for her love of pets, the many family vacations, and the cherished time spent “up north” with Larry. Above all, Dottie’s greatest joy was her family - especially her grandchildren. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her children: David Garski of Florida; Gary Garski Bogart (Shannon) of Arizona; Lynne (Steven) Christman; Gayle (Joseph) Adamek; and Laura (Michael) Crass, all of Racine. She is further survived by her grandchildren, Alexander and Andrew Christman, Kelsey Fraley (fiancé Ray Pfeiffer), and Caden Fraley; step-grandchildren; step-great-grandchildren; siblings, Caroline (Peter) Fischbach and George E. Rebhan; in-laws, Dick (Marietta) Garski, Al Garski (Judy Greene), Kathy Garski (Dick Miller), and Cecelia Hoffman; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Dottie was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert Rebhan and Darrell Hoffman; her stepparents, Richard and Sammie Hoffman; and her in-laws, Cyril and Rose Garski, Ronald Garski, Carol Garski, and Barbara Garski.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1533 Erie Street, with Fr. Craig Richter, Fr. Thomas Vathappallil and Fr. Joseph Heit concelebrating. Interment will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home, and again on Monday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/meredithfuneralhome/

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Nurse Rose R. from Ascension and the staff at Parkside Manor for their loving and compassionate care.