Dorothy Margaret Gilkes, age 84 of Dodgeville, formerly of Prairie du Chien, WI passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 20th, 2026, at Crestridge Memory Care in Dodgeville. Dorothy was born in La Crosse on May 21, 1942, to William and Lucille (Mezera) Dagnon. She grew up in Seneca and attended elementary school. In 1960, she graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Prairie du Chien and then attended Beauty School in Milwaukee.
On January 7, 1961, she married Edward F. Gilkes at Saint Patrick’s church in Seneca. They lived in Milwaukee for a short time and then moved back to the Prairie du Chien area. Dorothy worked first in cosmetology, then did in home daycare for many years. She worked at the McGregor Speaker plant for a couple of years. Then she worked for Crawford County Social Services up until retirement. Together, Dorothy and Ed were blessed with seven children: Kevin (Gail), Karen (Gerry) Thuli, Kurt (Julie), Ed (Roberta), Kent (Carole), Kari (Rick Buening) Grady, Keith (Kristen); Fourteen grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren: Jennifer (Todd) Vasconcellos -Victoria, Brian (Tami) Thuli-Maziah, Koah, and Irah, Eric (Danielle) Thuli, Craig (Alicia) Gilkes-Riley, Callum, Brock (Morgan) Gilkes-Oaklynn, Baby due in December, Allison (Christian Baxter) Gilkes, Samantha (Hunter) Goh-Harrison, Derek (Courtney) Gilkes, Claire (Kably Ryan) Gilkes, Carter (Quinn) Gilkes, Caleb (Anika Dixon) Grady, Cortney (Ezra Dvorak) Grady, Viola Gilkes, Lucille Gilkes. Dorothy is survived by her sister Mary Kitzman, two brothers, William (Nanette) and Paul (Barbara) Dagnon. Also, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Ed, infant son Kraig, her parents, mother and father in-Law Charles and Lula Gilkes, brothers-in-law Kenneth (Marilyn) and Terry Gilkes, Gerald Kitzman, sisters-in-law Glennis (Ed) Whitish, and Phyllis Slaght.
A Mass of Christian Burial was on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Gabriel’s Church of the Holy Family Parish. Fr. Brian Ward officiated with burial in the Calvary Cemetery, both in Prairie du Chien. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Prairie du Chien Catholic School or Upland Hills Health Hospice. Thank you to Rosie Morrey APNP, Crestridge staff, and Upland Hills Health Hospice for the compassionate care Mom received. www.garrityfuneralhome.com
