Kenosha native Dorothy Lerner (nee Miller), of Glendale, died of congestive heart failure on April 12. She was 91.
A 1932 graduate of Kenosha High School, she married Joseph P. Lerner and moved to Milwaukee in 1938. He died in 1990.
The couple owned and operated the Dairy State Butter and Egg Company, which was founded by Dorothy Lerner’s in-laws as Lerner Creamery on Eighth and Brown Streets in Milwaukee. Dorothy and Joseph “worked side by side all of their married life. They had an unusually close relationship in business and at home,” said their daughter, Barbara (Alan) Bern of Milwaukee.
After the Lerners sold their business to Sysco Corporation in 1989, the “first lady of food service,” as she was called, worked at Miller Bakery and then at Le Pareve Bakery until age 89.
“She shared in everyone’s good news and happiness and sadness and enriched everyone’s lives by her caring and always trying to help,” said Bern. She “will always be remembered for her love of family, dinners, brunches, but particularly, her rogalach, kreplach, gefilte fish and chocolate cake.
Her pride and joy were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
Lerner was a member and volunteer at Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue for 70 years. She was also a member of Hadassah-Milwaukee Chapter and ORT America, Inc. Wisconsin Chapter.
Lerner is further survived by two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home. Graveside services were officiated by Rabbi Yitzchak Berman and Cantor Jerome Berkowitz at Mound Zion Cemetery on April 15.
The family appreciates memorial contributions to a charity of the donor’s choice.
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