Werner John Dornacker (1932-2021)

Werner was born in Milwaukee on February 17, 1932 to Peter John and Olive Magdalene Dornacker (nee Werner). Werner died peacefully in his home, surrounded by family on August 13, 2021. He is survived by his wife: Marion Dornacker (nee Karnowski) and four children, David (Veronica) of Portland, TX, Denise (Russell, Sr.) Bargy of VIrginia Beach, VA, Dale (Susan) Dornacker of New Berlin, WI, and Dori (Mark) Panthofer of North Bay, WI. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Werner attended St. Catherine grade school and later Marquette University High school, where he graduated in 1950. His first job after highschool was a trainee in a metallurgical Lab where he worked until January 1952, when he received a draft notice ordering him to report for military service. Instead of reporting, Werner enlisted in the Navy where he spent 4 years as an aviation photographer.

After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he worked for the Milwaukee Transport Co. where he drove passenger busses in the city of Milwaukee for 8 months. Realizing he did not want to continue as a bus driver for the rest of his life, he contacted the Veterans Administration and requested guidance, where he was given an aptitude test. The results suggested he was best suited to be a farmer or pharmacist.

Werner went on to study pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy and graduated in January 1961 with honors. Werner often commented, "Going to pharmacy school was the best choice I ever made".

Werner started his career as a pharmacist at Walgreens for 15 years. He found it to be an excellent place to learn about all the aspects of running a successful pharmacy. For six of his years with Walgreens, he worked and lived in Appleton, WI, where he was president of Outagamie County Pharmacists Association.

In 1976, Werner started Cudahy Pharmacy Inc, where his pharmacy served the local community until December 1989. After selling the pharmacy, Werner continued to work at other local independent pharmacies until one week before his 81st birthday, when he officially retired.

After retiring, he volunteered at the Zablocki VA as a DAV driver transporting veterans to and from appointments. He also volunteered transporting seniors to medical appointments, grocery stores, banks, drug stores and beauticians for the senior ladies.

Werner joined the Milwaukee Veterans Pharmacist Association and served as president, recording secretary, and treasurer during his many years with the organization.

Werner and Marion have been members of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church for over 30 years where Werner served on the Parish/Pastoral Council for two terms and as an extraordinary eucharistic minister.

He loved to travel with his family and visited Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and many of the western states. His favorite destination was the California Redwood Forest. Werner and Marion loved to enjoy two spring seasons: first spring in the south during March, enjoying all the spring blooms in our southern states, and the second spring in Wisconsin.

Werner family and friends will miss his kind nature, wonderful sense of humor, fun-loving heart, and his countless tales about his time at Marquette High and in the Navy.

Werner's family and friends will miss his kind nature, wonderful sense of humor, fun-loving heart, and his countless tales about his time at Marquette High and in the Navy.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday August 25th at Hartson Funeral Home, 11111 W Janesville Rd Hales Corners, WI 53130, from 5:30pm to 7pm. Additional visitation will be held on Thursday August 26th at St. Alphonsus Parish, 6060 W Loomis Rd, Greendale, WI 53129, from 10am until 11am followed by a funeral mass at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, Werner asked for donations to the Disabled American Veterans
www.dav.org