Delores Gilner Obituary

Delores Gilner

December 10, 1934 - June 23, 2025

Delores M Gilner, age 90, of Wisconsin Dells, Wis., baked her last batch of "grandma cookies" on Monday, June 23, 2025. She's gone to join husband, Duane, to continue their travel adventures.

Delores was born on December 10, 1934, in Elroy, Wis., to Lester and Hazel (Tracey) Pliner. After graduating Elroy High School in 1952, she worked at Wisconsin Dairies before marrying her best friend, Duane, in 1955 when he returned from Korea. Together they moved to Wisconsin Dells when Duane started working for the DNR and lived in the fire tower cabin before building their home on Waubeek Road. Delores continued working as a bookkeeper at Fort Dells, later retiring from Tri City Insurance. She managed the books for the Sand Bar when Duane bought it in 1962 until the day he turned it over to son, Randy. She did all this while keeping three kids out of the woods, out of the road, off the roof and getting to school on time. No small task but she did it with a laugh and occasional grumble before getting dinner on the table and making sure there were chocolate chip cookies in the cookie jar. Delores and Duane traveled throughout the US, Canada, with an accidental visit to Mexico. Delores especially enjoyed Duane's fishing and hunting trips, not because she went with him but because it got him out of the house and out of her hair for a couple weeks so she could enjoy a little peace and quiet. She did give up her peace and quiet though for anything her grandkids needed. She babysat whenever asked and often had them for days at a time so their parents could work, travel or just have some adult time. Delores is survived by sons, Rocky and Randy Gilner; daughter, Angie (Paul) Gilner-Scott; grandchildren, Andrew, Riley, Eli and Eva; and sister-in-law, Laurie Kopenhafer. She is further survived by nieces and nephews, Johnny, Steven, Paula, Gail and Mark. Delores was preceded in death by her husband, Duane; parents; brother, Richard Pliner; sister, Margie Benson; and brother-in-law, John Kopenhafer. Special thanks to daughter-in-law, Sherrie Gilner, Hospice nurses, Katrina and Brooke and all the wonderful people at Agrace Hospice for helping the family keep Delores at home throughout this difficult yet wonderful journey. For online condolences and information, go to www.pichafuneralhome.com.

Picha Funeral Home - Wisconsin Dells