Lisa M. Docter

Lisa Marie Docter, age 60, passed away peacefully on October 16th, 2024, in her home in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, surrounded by her family. She was born in Milwaukee on November 28, 1963 to Henry & Georgia Deiss. She was the youngest of four children, even though she is often referred to as the “younger, older sister” by her three older brothers. She earned that title from being the glue of her family! She graduated from Arrowhead High School in 1982, and the University of Oshkosh in 1986 with a degree in Elementary Education. 

Lisa married John Docter on July 6, 1991, at St. Joan of Arc in Oconomowoc, WI. She was a loving and devoted wife for the last 33 years, and a true role model of what it looks like to take on life with your best friend as a “team.” They were blessed with two children: Stephanie (27) & Matthew (25). She dedicated herself wholeheartedly to motherhood; nurturing her children with immense joy, warmth, and selfless love ~ often reminding them to “give a little love everyday.” She instilled in them a strong faith, and many morals that they’ll forever be grateful for. 

Lisa taught for 33 years, with most of them being in the Oconomowoc Area School District. Right out of college, she began her career teaching 5th and 6th grade at Banting Elementary in Waukesha for 4 years. After getting married, she moved to Madison, and taught 6th grade at West Middleton Elementary in Middleton for 3 years, while earning her Masters in Technology from Edgewood College. John and Lisa moved back to Oconomowoc, where she taught 6th grade at Ixonia Elementary School for 4 years. Afterwards, she took a few years off to stay home with her young kids. When her daughter was in Kindergarten, she went back to teaching 6th grade at Meadow View Elementary for 6 years so they could be together at the same school. She followed her kids to Nature Hill Intermediate, and continued teaching 6th grade for another 5 years. Lisa moved back to Meadow View Elementary to teach 4th grade, where she taught for the last 11 years and retired in the Spring of 2024. 

Lisa created traditions in school that will carry on forever ~ the class clap being a favorite. She won multiple teaching awards, including the Herb Kohl Fellowship Award in 2020. But more importantly, was fiercely dedicated to building relationships with both her students and coworkers. She had a special way of making every student feel valued, loved, and part of her classroom family. She was stopped by former students and families wherever she went, and truly did not have an enemy in the world!

When Lisa wasn’t working, she was invested in living a healthy lifestyle. She prided herself in finding new, healthy, “Bobby-Approved” recipes that she could make and share with all of her friends and family. She routinely was part of the 5am workout classes at the YMCA, and looked forward to chatting with all of her friends in the locker room afterwards. Lisa also enjoyed being active with her family; from long walks with the family and their dog Boo, to yearly family trips that always included a beautiful hike. She took a recent interest in pickleball, a hobby that she would convince coworkers and family to partake in after school! 

Lisa was a beautiful person, inside and out, and an extraordinary wife and mom who persistently directed her love, warmth, and kindness at her entire family. Her generous spirit and thoughtfulness was shared unconditionally with friends, family, colleagues, and anyone who was lucky enough to be a part of her life. She often decorated beautiful cookies that somehow tasted even better than they looked, and shared them at every celebration imaginable. Lisa’s radiant smile, infectious laugh, and commonly used “Yoohoo!” would uplift anyone around her.

Lisa was gone too soon, and didn’t get to share her love of life with her own grandkids. However, she was a doting “Auntle” and “Aunt Weesa!” Lisa poured her heart into her great nieces and nephews; Reagan (6), Finley (5), Hailey (4), Ben (3) and Elizabeth (1). She cherished every moment with them, and prided herself on being their favorite babysitter. Her legacy of warmth created endless precious memories for the kids.

She was a high-energy, fun person who enjoyed music and dancing. Through the years she danced throughout her house, but especially in the kitchen, to quite the variety of songs. Her kids would always match her energy, so she was never dancing and singing alone!

Her genuine interest in others, coupled with her vibrant and youthful spirit, created a loving and exciting environment everywhere she went. We are all blessed to have known her and she will be missed forever.

Lisa is survived by her husband, John Docter; children, Stephanie (Drew) Hamilton, and Matthew Docter; siblings, Ray (Anne) Deiss, John (Peg) Deiss, and Ken (Lyn) Deiss; nieces and nephews, Margaret (Scott) Deiss, Heidi (Derek) Bartle, Colleen (Karl) Huth, Brendan and Jack Deiss. She was preceded in death by her parents, Heinrich & Georgia Deiss, her grandparents Friedrich & Katherine Deiss and George & Thea Sterner, her nephew Joey Deiss, her cousin Linda Merkel, as well as many aunts and uncles.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at St. Charles Catholic Church, 313 Circle Dr., Hartland, WI. Family and friends are invited to visit directly at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

The Docter family would like to thank Dr. Adam P. Siegel, Dr. Lara N. Mrak, Dr. Ajay Sahajpal, and their entire team at Aurora for taking such devoted care of their mom over the last 5 months.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.