Dorene B. Achterberg

Dorene B. Achterberg (nee Kasulke) passed away peacefully on February 21, 2024, surrounded by her family at Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon.

Dorene was born in Milwaukee on December 21, 1930, to George and Evelyn (Westfield) Kasulke. She graduated from Whitefish Bay High School in 1948 and Milwaukee State Teachers College in 1952. She taught kindergarten in Glendale and for many years at several Milwaukee elementary schools. She married Jack Achterberg at Fox Point Lutheran Church on August 6, 1955. He predeceased her on December 4, 2003.

Dorene is survived by her children, Gary Achterberg of Thiensville and Heidi (James) Hilby of Mequon; three grandchildren, Breanna (Ben) Kopitzke of Madison, Brandon (Carly) Hilby of Wauwatosa and Sarah Hilby (fiancée Hayden Breene) of Verona; and two great-grandchildren, Soren and Juliette Kopitzke of Madison. A third great-grandchild is due in April. She is also survived by her brother, Westfield Bruce Kasulke of Whitefish Bay. Her sister, Ardeth Lewis, predeceased her.

Dorene was a loyal member of Grace Lutheran Church in Thiensville since 1974, where she was involved in numerous activities, including traveling monthly for approximately 25 years to serve dinner at the St. Ben’s Community Meal in Milwaukee, Shalom Bible Study and Let’s Crow About Our Kids. She was an active member of the Mequon Woman’s Club. Dorene was an accomplished seamstress and avid quilter. She lived in the Village of Thiensville for nearly 50 years.

Dorene was active until the end of her life. She was a devoted grandmother to Breanna, Brandon and Sarah. Her world revolved around her great-grandchildren, and she savored trips to Madison to help babysit. She went out to lunch almost every day with Heidi and attended Brewers and Homestead basketball games with Gary. She loved watching the dogs at Katherine Kearney Carpenter Park in Mequon and made frequent trips there with her children.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 28, at Grace Lutheran Church, 303 Green Bay Road, Thiensville. The funeral service will immediately follow visitation. Memorials are suggested to Grace Lutheran Church, 303 Green Bay Road, Thiensville, WI 53092, or the St. Ben’s Community Meal Program, 930 W. State Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233.