Delores Marie Dugan

CASA GRANDE, AZ -

Delores Marie Dugan (92), beloved matriarch of the many Dugan families dairying in Arizona and Idaho passed away peacefully on March 12, 2016, in Gilbert, AZ. The youngest of five sisters, Delores was born in Kasson, Manitowoc County, WI, to John and Rosa Rank Mancoske on September 26, 1923. Like many children of the Great Depression, her working life began as a teenager when she ventured from rural Wisconsin to the big city of Milwaukee, where she worked for the Davidson family of Harley-Davidson fame. She returned to country life in 1943 when she married Mike Dugan, becoming his partner and helpmate on the farm, turning her hand to every chore. Delores baked bread weekly, cooked for the farmhands, milked cows, and was the farm bookkeeper, as well as raising six sons to carry on the Dugan name and tradition of farming.

Delores and Mike built a thriving dairy farm in Cato, Wisconsin, winning numerous awards for outstanding milk production and raising record setting cows, but Mike’s respiratory health problems forced them to sell the farm and move to the arid climate of Arizona in 1962. With their oldest sons working before and after school, the family established Mi-Delo Dairy in rural Chandler and joined the United Dairymen of Arizona. As the boys grew up and married, Delores and Mike enabled each son to start their own dairy operation. Due to the hard work of their grandparents, a third Dugan generation is now active in the farming industry. Mike and Delores were always interested in, supportive, and equally proud of those grandchildren who chose other professions.

Dee and Mike worked hard, but never missed Sunday Mass. The energetic couple found time for bowling, and dinner dances at the Elks Club and Knights of Columbus Hall. They loved a good polka. Delores was proud of her connection to her cousin, Romy Gosz, a popular polka musician. Wisconsin visitors were always welcomed to the Arizona farm, especially if they knew how to play the card game "Sheepshead." Delores enjoyed giving grand tours of the Valley of the Sun before its many freeways existed.

The couple retired and followed their sons to Casa Grande in 2006 after selling the Chandler farm for development. "Grandma" Dugan continued to live independently after Mike’s death in 2011 and until her final week was "sharp as a tack." Our family memories wouldn’t be complete without the succession of pampered dogs and cats who were lucky enough to be adopted by Delores. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew they could always find a cookie or ice cream treat at Grandma’s house. Holidays at Grandma’s meant flavorful German potato salad and Kringle pastry. If you dropped in unexpectedly and during the season, you’d catch Grandma avidly watching a baseball game. Her family knew better than to call when Wheel of Fortune was on in the evening! She looked forward to the weekly visits of her sons and always enjoyed holding the new babies in the family.

Delores is survived by her six sons and their families: Thomas (Katherine) of Gilbert, AZ; Richard (Claudia) of Chandler, AZ; Michael H. (Patricia) of Jerome, ID; Dennis (Kelly) of Casa Grande, AZ; Patrick (Nadine) also of Casa Grande, AZ; and Daniel of Chandler, AZ; 26 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren; niece, Grace Phillips; several great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by Mike, her husband of 67 years; parents; sisters, Della, Irene, Celia and Monica; grandsons, Todd Michael and Kyle; granddaughter, Tracy; and great-grandson, Spencer.

A Rosary will be held at 10:30 am prior to the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am on Friday, March 18, 2016 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 201 N. Picacho St., Casa Grande, AZ 85122. Reception to follow in the church Community Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 405 E. 2nd Street, Casa Grande, Arizona 85122 or to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix AZ 85014.

J. Warren Funeral Services is in charge of the arrangements.