Dorothy Mae Bliskey

Dorothy Mae Bliskey, 80, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026, surrounded by family.

Dorothy was born on May 20, 1946, in Madison, Wisconsin, to the late Walter and Benunie Schwarz of Mt. Horeb. She graduated from Mt. Horeb High School in 1964.

In 1966, Dorothy married Lennis Rindy, and together they raised three sons, Troy, Chad, and Ryan, who remained the pride and joy of her life. During the 1970s and 1980s, she immersed herself in her sons’ activities and in the Rosendale community. She helped revive the local Cub Scout Pack, becoming one of the first female Cubmasters in the area, if not the state. Through the Rosendale 4-H Club, Dorothy enthusiastically served as a project leader in gardening, photography, and numerous other activities. Having been an active 4-H member herself while growing up in Dane County, she was passionate about helping young people learn and grow. Between Scouts, 4-H, and countless athletic events, Dorothy rarely missed an opportunity to support her boys.

As her sons headed off to college, Dorothy decided to pursue her own educational dreams. While Troy, Chad, and Ryan worked toward their degrees, Dorothy enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism in 1994. During her college years, she worked two part-time jobs: as newsletter editor for the Rosendale-Brandon School District and as a correspondent and feature writer for The Reporter in Fond du Lac, beginning in 1991.

Following graduation, Dorothy worked in advertising at Kohl’s Corporate Headquarters in Menomonee Falls before becoming Marketing Director for the Fond du Lac Convention & Visitors Bureau, a position she held for ten years. Throughout her professional career and nearly until the time of her passing, Dorothy remained devoted to freelance writing and photography. Her work appeared in numerous newspapers, magazines, and business publications throughout the region, including The Reporter, Action Advertiser, Scene Newspaper, and Inspire Magazine. In 2004, she established Bliskey Writing Services, combining her lifelong passions for storytelling, photography, and quality journalism.

In 1997, Dorothy married Brian S. Bliskey, the love of her life. Together they shared nearly three decades of marriage, friendship, travel, and family. Dorothy cherished time spent with family and friends, attending community events, exploring local history, gardening, photographing special moments, and telling the stories of people and places throughout Wisconsin.

In addition to her love of family, writing, and photography, Dorothy found joy in the simple wonders of everyday life. For several spring seasons, she eagerly anticipated the return of a mallard duck that chose a flower bed just outside her front door as a nesting place. Dorothy delighted in watching the duck raise her brood before leading her ducklings down the creek behind the house, sharing the annual adventure with family and friends. It was one of the many small stories that brought her great joy.

Dorothy will be remembered for her curiosity, creativity, kindness, determination, and unwavering devotion to her family. She had a gift for making people feel seen and valued, whether through her writing, her photography, or simply through conversation. She rarely met a stranger and possessed a reporter’s instinct for asking questions, listening carefully, and finding the story worth telling. Friends and family knew that a quick conversation with Dorothy often turned into a memorable discussion, a new friendship, or perhaps an article in a local publication.

Over the years, she was entrusted with writing the stories and obituaries of countless friends, neighbors, and family members. She believed that every life had a story worth preserving and that ordinary people often lived extraordinary lives. In true Dorothy fashion, she began writing her own obituary more than a decade ago, ensuring that her final story would be told, at least in part, in her own words.

While Dorothy spent much of her life telling the stories of others, those who loved her now have the privilege of telling hers. Her story lives on through her family, her friends, the countless articles and photographs she leaves behind, and the many lives she touched along the way.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Brian S. Bliskey; her sons, Troy Rindy, Chad Rindy, and Ryan Rindy; her stepson, Kent Bliskey; her grandchildren, Joshua (Stephanie) Rindy, Christopher Rindy, Nicole Rindy, Zachary Rindy, Jensen Rindy, Grace Rindy, Ella Rindy, Jameson Rindy, and Brooklynn Butler; her great-grandson, Rowan Rindy; and another great-grandchild expected later this year. She is further survived by her brother, Russell (Barb) Schwarz, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Benunie Schwarz; her brother, Donald (Carol) Schwarz; her sister, Rosann (Hubert) Jorns; her grandson, Luke Rindy; her stepdaughter, Kelli Bliskey; and many other beloved family members and friends.

Dorothy’s family invites friends and relatives to a time of visitation on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Zacherl Funeral Home in Fond du Lac from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. A Liturgy of the Word will take place following the visitation at 3:00 PM. Dorothy will be laid to rest at Calvary Mausoleum in Fond du Lac on Monday, June 8th, 2026 at 9:00 AM.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers, medical professionals, family members, and friends who provided Dorothy with support, comfort, and companionship throughout her final journey.