Dorothy Anne (Nee: Gerber) Cosenza, age 84 of Kenosha, lovingly reunited with her parents and brother on Monday, March 19, 2018.

Born on May 24, 1933 in Racine, she was the middle child of the late Christ and Margaret (Bodnar) Gerber.  Dorothy was a 1951 graduate of St. Catherine’s High School, Racine. Until recently, Dorothy enjoyed her monthly “club” lunch meetings with her closest high school girlfriends.

On June 30, 1956 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Racine, she was united in marriage to Louis A. Cosenza and they were blessed with two children.

Dorothy was a true survivor from the time she was a child.  She contracted Rheumatic Fever which was not diagnosed, which she then endured a lifetime of heart complications.  Undergoing her first heart surgery in 1956, she was given a 3% chance of survival because heart surgery was experimental at that time.  She underwent more high risk surgeries that included three valve replacements.  She truly earned her wings during those years and so did her devoted husband, who was continuously by her side.

Dorothy had a deep love and appreciation of her Hungarian heritage and traditions passed on to her from her mother.  Then, marrying into an Italian family, she developed Italian cooking skills making superb dishes.  However, she will always be remembered for her awesome Kringle and love of hand blown Old World Glass Christmas Ornaments from Germany.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of 61 years, Lou; her son, Lou, Jr. (Sue) Cosenza and her daughter, Janet (Mike) Kraning. She leaves behind her grandchildren, Rhianon Kraning, Michael Kraning and Emilie Cosenza and great grandchildren, Lacey Jozwiak and Bailee Kraning. She is further survived by her sister, Marji Kintis; many nephews, nieces and Godchildren.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert “Horns” Gerber.

Service Info

Funeral Services honoring Dorothy’s life will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2018. A Mass of Catholic Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 1919 54th Street. Entombment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum.