On October 13, 2022, God chose to take one of his loyal soldiers, Dorien Hope (Schmidt) Hammann, into
his arms. She was born to Eileen Hazel Alberta Krug (as Beverly Ann Krug) on April 15, 1933, in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was then adopted by Dorothy M. and George J. Schmidt who named her
Dorien. Dorien was raised along with her adopted brother Allan Schmidt in Glendale, Wisconsin. Both of
her mothers, her father, and her brother preceded her in death.
Dorien graduated from Rufus King High School and attended Ripon College. At Ripon she made lifelong
friends with Betty (Goodrich) (Russell) Hipke and Carolyn “Callie” (Callahan) Landwehr and their
friendship has extended many generations of weddings, births, deaths, graduations, and gatherings.
They were so blessed to spend a day together last year and their families will always be connected.
Dorien married Terrence Jones Foster in 1959 and had two sons, Sean J. Foster and Cameron J. “C.J.”
Foster. They divorced and then Terrence passed away in 1976. In 1970, Dorien married Charles J. Hein
and had one daughter, Deborah A. (Hein) Kloster and also gained an adult stepson Charles “Chuck” Hein
and an adult stepdaughter Judy (Hein) Graczkowski. Dorien also gained the coveted title of Grandma to
Chuck and Judy’s children. Charles J. passed away suddenly in 1977. Dorien then married Fredrick A.
Hammann in 1979 and he passed away in 2018.
Dorien worked throughout her adult life and retired as a health unit clerk with Sheboygan Memorial
Hospital. Outside of work, she volunteered with various organizations (Cub/Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, PTA,
F.I.S.H., church leadership, bowling league, and Meals on Wheels), joined Crystal Lake golf league in
1970, golfing into her 80s, and continued playing cards with the league after she was no longer able to
golf. When Dorien and Fred married, they enjoyed many travel adventures (RV and bicycle), sporting
events, kids’ activities, live theatre, and volunteer work.
During their travels, they found their beloved winter spot on Sanibel, Florida and enjoyed a “49-ers”
friend’s group that became family through a shared Wisconsin connection. The “49-ers” gathered over
their love of Badger football and basketball games and “On Wisconsin!” would blare through RV
speakers after Badger victories. There were many trips across the country and 2003 was one of the most
memorable family trips. In their RV, with the Fosters following in their RV, they journeyed to Montana
where the Klosters joined in their camper to travel throughout the Dakotas, Yellowstone, and into
Alberta, Canada. Dorien and Fred (along with grandson, Samuel) continued the adventure into Alaska to
round out the trip.
Dorien’s zest for life was evident to all who knew her. She loved to socialize and was generous with her
time and money to support her beliefs and help the less fortunate. Her use of money “envelopes”
ensured her family never really felt a need or simply to justify a splurge. Her notes and records on
expenditures are amazing to read and she clearly valued the concept of work hard and play hard. Her
faith was strong throughout the many curve balls that life threw at her: knee replacements, hip
replacement, breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer, hernia, and heart issues that never seemed to
slow her down.
Dorien’s life would not be complete without the story of being reunited with her birth mother, Eileen
Wagner. Though Dorien was blessed by being raised in a loving family, she always had a lingering
question of: Did “I” do something to be put up for adoption? That mystery was solved when she was 83
years old and met her 99-year-old birth mother for the first time! Their story was published in the
Chicago Tribune, and Dorien was so blessed to get to know her birth mother and gain a half-sister and
half-brother. Eileen passed away at age 100 almost a year after being reunited with Dorien.
She is survived by her sons Sean J. Foster and Cameron J. “C.J.” (Jeanette) Foster; daughter Deborah A.
(Brian) Kloster; grandson Samuel R. Foster; granddaughters Claire R. Kloster and Isabel A. Kloster; step-
children Chuck (Bev) Hein and Judy (John) Graczkowski and their children and grandchildren; a sister
Nancy DeLap and a brother Bill Wagner and their families. Also surviving is the large group of friends
that have been her extended family for most of her life.
Dorien was preceded in death by her birthmother, adoptive mother and father, adopted brother,
husbands, and many friends.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday (October 18, 2022) at the Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth from
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM; with a funeral service to follow at 6:00 PM. Rev. Rebecca Johnston, will officiate.
Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Elkhart Lake.
The Suchon Funeral Home is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit
www.suchonfh.com.
The family wishes to thank the compassionate and professional staff at Sheboygan Senior Community
for their care of Dorien over the last 16 months. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.
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