Dorothy 'Dot' Valentino

WAUSAU, Wis. - Dorothy "Dot" Valentino, 82, of Merrill, and previously of Ironwood, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at the Benedictine Living Community in Wausau.

Dorothy was born the daughter of Humbert and Esther (Erickson) Landretti on Jan. 10, 1939, in Ironwood. She was a 1957 graduate of Luther L. Wright High High School in Ironwood.

Dorothy was united in marriage on Oct. 1, 1960, to Frank "Vass" Valentino. She worked in the cafeteria as a cook at Luther L. Wright High School for many years and then retired from Grandview Hospital after 20 years of employment.

One of Dorothy's greatest passions was cooking. She was an amazing cook and took great joy in preparing homemade delicious Italian meals for family gatherings. She enjoyed doing crosswords, fishing, going out for lunch, and spending time with her daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved sitting on the deck with her daughter, Maria, and son-in-law, Jay, while watching the birds on the feeders, talking and sipping coffee.

Dorothy's sense of humor, wit, laughter, and humble, giving heart will truly be missed. She loved to laugh and have fun and was a wonderful mother, wife, grandmother, sister, daughter and aunt.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Maria (Jay) Block of Merrill; two sisters, Shirley (Jerry) Prosek of Pulaski, and Lois (Gene) Kaari of Silver Bay, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Erin Olszewski, Ryan Malone, Mitchell (Jenny) Block and Justin (Nancy) Block; and six great-grandchildren, Dylan, Drew, Logan, Camden, Piper and Nicolette. Dorothy is further survived by her loving nieces and nephews, and close family friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Vass.

A graveside committal will take place on Tuesday, July 27, at 1 p.m. at Sunset Acres Cemetery in Ironwood Township, Michigan, with Fr. Joseph Binu officiating. Lunch will follow afterward at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood.

Mom, I love you so much. Thank you for loving me so much throughout my life. I will miss you with all of my heart.

The family has chosen Frick-Zielibnski Funeral Home of Bessemer to honor Dorothy's legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at rangefuneralservices.com.