Dorene King

Dorene King, 88, of Wausau passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at Mt. View Care Center.

She was born May 22, 1928 in Wausau to the late Julius and Eleanor (Hartwig) Yonker. She was a graduate of Wausau High School. During her Senior year, Dorene worked part time for the Public Library. That was enough to launch her career as a librarian. She not only worked for the Wausau City Library and Marathon County Library but also spent several years as a librarian for different schools in the D.C. Everest school system. She was known by many as the "Bookmobile Lady" because of her years serving on the bookmobile. On July 10, 1948, Dorene married George King at St. Paul's United Church of Christ. They raised their son, John, who was Dorene's pride and joy. She was an active member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ and in her younger years sang in the church choir, taught Sunday school and started their library. Her past times included reading, needlepoint, canning jelly and jams and working in her garden. Her and George enjoyed feeding and watching their backyard birds and taking care of their pets.

Survivors include her son, John (Annette) King of Schofield, grandson, Derek of Schofield, granddaughter, Melissa (Gary) Kluck of Wausau, three great grandchildren, Hailey, Brayden and Ella, brother-in-law, Herb (Joyce) King of Weston, nephew, Rick (Francene) and two nieces, Cheryl (David) and Mary (Frank). Dorene was preceded in death by George, great grandson, Bryson and sister, Dawn Herren.

She will be sadly missed by her close friends, Carol Koerten, Mary Petersen, Arlene Evjue, Mary Bethke, Gerald Denton, Pat Schmitt, Suzy Klimek and Mary Vullings.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Reverend Phillip Schneider will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday at the funeral home from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Mt. View, especially the caring individuals working on Evergreen Place for the kindness and wonderful care they gave Mom and our family during her stay.