Constance Joy Dorow

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Constance Joy Dorow (Connie/ Mrs. Connie), a cherished sister, aunt, Godmother, teacher, mentor, and friend, who left this world on February 27th, 2026, surrounded by love. Connie departed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy defined by joy, generosity, kindness, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every person she met.

Connie was born on September 18, 1951, in Ishpeming, Michigan. Her parents, John Robert Lake and Joyce Virginia (Turovaara) Lake, must have known what gift she would bring to everyone when they named her Constance Joy. Connie was later joined by her brothers Robert and Randy, whom she adored. She attended Northern Michigan University and then Marquette University. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Steven Dorow. They dated for a year and a half, and he surprised her by proposing at 2:00 am after one of his residency shifts. They were married on March 9, 1974. For 3 years, while Steve was in medical school, Connie worked in daycares until she accepted a job at St. Louis Catholic School in Caledonia, Wisconsin. She had found her true calling as a teacher. Her gift of teaching continued in Hillsboro, Wisconsin, when Dr. Steve accepted a family practice position at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home and Hospital. She taught kindergarten at Hillsboro Elementary for 29 years. Mrs. Connie devoted her heart and soul to teaching, shaping countless minds with patience, creativity, and compassion. Connie embodied what it truly means to care. In her first year of teaching at Hillsboro, it was this loving and caring quality that created a 41-year bond with the daughter of her heart, Ashley.

Colleagues admired Connie for her optimism, joy, love, and generosity. She made everyone feel valued and was remembered for small gestures: handwritten notes and cards with stickers, check-in calls, and texts filled with emojis.

Beyond the classroom, Connie was a devoted friend and family member, consistently giving of herself. Her generous spirit extended to the community and beyond, where she volunteered, donated, and supported causes that mattered deeply to her. To know Connie was to know compassion in its purest form.

Connie is survived by her brothers, Robert Lake (wife Willow) and Randy Lake; niece Carol Lundy (husband Jason); nephews Robert Lake, William Lake (husband Chris Kulju), and Scott Lake (husband Casey Migacz), who is also her Godson; great-nieces Carmen, Cloe, and Abagail; great-nephews Miles and Everett; daughter of the heart Ashley Barnes (fiancé Justin Grove) and children Grant, Lauren, and Gavin; brother-in-law Mark Dorow (wife Colleen) and family; God-daughter Marlina Kutzke (husband Kyle) and their son Bennett Steven Kutzke; and special friends Kristi and Greg Zimmerman and family.

Connie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Steven Dorow; her devoted parents, John and Joyce Lake; caring in-laws, Carl and Betty Dorow; cherished Grandma Helmi Lake; treasured grandparents Frank and Ida Turv; guiding Godmother Lil Rowe; inspiring mentor Audrey Topola; and her beloved furr babies Pandora, Jezzabelle, Kate, and Allie, who filled her heart with warmth and companionship.

Connie was blessed with many special friends. Thank you to her lifelong friends for your loyal support, especially the Diner’s Club ladies (Shirley Richardson, Linda Fiske, Dory Stahlkopf, Monica Verbsky, Lori Cherf, Becky Farra, Karen Theis, Diana Marshall, Lynette Vlasak, Karla Frederick), close family friends (Jim and Jane Hoffman, Carol and Fred Kelroy, Dianne and Delmas Malcomb, Dr. Lea Cornell, Shannon Thompson, Dan Howard and family, Mark and Janet Kendall, Judy Pietrocatelli, Pat and Gary Hoffmeyer, Monica Burch and family), and those who went above and beyond to take care of her needs (Denise Huntley, Cory Frederick, Karin Hanson, Linda North, Jack and Kathy Besant, Emplify Health, Milestone Senior Living, Schmitt Woodland Hill, and St. Croix Hospice).

Honoring her wishes, Connie requested a celebration of her life at the Hillsboro Brewing Company. In breaking with the tradition of a fellowship after the funeral, this will be held the night before her funeral, Friday, April 10, 2026 from 4–8 pm, with appetizers and hors d’oeuvres served.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 11:00 am at Grace Lutheran Church in Elroy, Wisconsin. A private burial will follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of her giving spirit, Connie requests memorial contributions to the ASPCA, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or St. Joseph Indian School.

The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting with arrangements, for online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com