Dorothy Theresa Pericak

Dorothy Pericak(Michalski), 91 years of age, mother of nine children, grandmother of twenty four, great grandmother of fourteen, passed away the morning October 12, 2020 at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, California. She enjoyed great success in her life’s work...the business of FAMILY.

Dorothy was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was the oldest of 6 siblings: MaryAnn, Edward, John, Gertrude, Margaret, and Richard. Dorothy married the love of her life, Ervin Pericak, on July 14,1951. Together they created a family of 9 children: Lynne, LuAnne, Laureen, LeeAnn, David, Michael, Steven, Robert, and Lisa. Dorothy and Erv relocated to Grafton, Wisconsin where they made many new friends and where the younger Pericak children finished school. Erv convinced Dorothy to follow his life’s dream to leave the snow and spend their retirement years somewhere warm, ending up in Sun City West, Arizona. Here they were able to pursue their love of golf multiple times per week. They enjoyed traveling to visit their children in Florida, California, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Dorothy maintained her active lifestyle even after her beloved husband’s passing in the year 2000. Remarkably she golfed until age 80 and was extremely proud of sinking two holes-in-one! She spent the last 11 years of her life in San Diego, initially living independently at La Vida Real. In 2017 she moved in with “daughter number three” Laureen Amberg and her son- in- law James. In their care, Dorothy was able to live her best possible life in her final years.

Family was the most important thing to Dorothy and she, with Erv, did an incredible job creating a vast and strong one. She is survived by:

Daughter Lynne Johnstone, son-in-law Michael, grandsons Christopher, Nicholas, Robert, and Andrew

Daughter LuAnne Andringa, granddaughter Christina, great granddaughter Liona, granddaughter Teresa Jones(Ben), grandson Robert(Stephanie) great granddaughters Tegan and Tatum

Daughter Laureen Amberg, son-in-law James, grandson Philip(Elyse), great granddaughter Halle, grandson Stephen, great granddaughter Phoebe, grandson Thomas(Stephanie)

Daughter LeeAnn Mantes, son-in-law Jeff, grandson James(Alyssa), great grandchildren, Jacob and Elizabeth, grandson Jonathan(Jennifer), great grandchildren Hank, Jack, and Charlotte, grandson David

Son David, daughter- in- law Janet, grandchildren Evan and Isabela

Son Michael, daughter-in-law Amy, granddaughter Jesse(Abe), great granddaughters Eve, Leigha, and Sara, granddaughter Janet and great granddaughter Kristina

Son Steven, daughter-in-law Beth Lohmann, granddaughter Katlyn and grandson Jacob

Son Robert, daughter-in-law Pamela, granddaughters Lindsay(Cody), and Lauren, and grandson Lucas

Daughter Lisa, son-in-law Andrew, granddaughter Nina, and grandson Morgan

We thank you all for your love and support.