Longtime Port Washington resident Dorothy Ellen Fletcher outlived three husbands and one child, but remained a source of boundless faith and optimism. With a twinkle in her eyes, her frequent words of parting were, "Divine order on us all." Mrs. Fletcher, 95, died Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Ellen's Home Assisted Living Facility in Port Washington, from a series of health complications that developed after she broke her hip in January 2018. She was born in Marshfield on May 17, 1924, the firstborn daughter of the Rev. Emil and Emma Eskelson Eske. Growing up in Milwaukee, she graduated from Washington High School, then earned a degree in exceptional education for the deaf from the State Teachers College, now the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. By the time Mrs. Fletcher retired from teaching in 1990, she had earned a master's degree plus 30 credits — just shy of a doctorate. Before getting married, she taught deaf education in Detroit. For 26 years she taught in the special education program of the Port Washington-Saukville School District, making many lifelong friends among the staff. A group of her teacher friends gathered this summer at Ellen's Home to share memories of their school days and life adventures together. On July 20, 1946, she married Elmer Aalto at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. After his ordination in 1951, the Rev. Aalto served in Lutheran parishes in Loyal, Greendale, Rome, Richland Center, Grafton and Random Lake. During that time, Mrs. Fletcher had all the responsibilities that go with the unpaid position of pastor's wife. The couple had four daughters, Christine, Ruth, Susan and Jane. Her husband died on Aug. 17, 1972. Mrs. Fletcher lived in Grafton after marrying William Gruetzmacher in 1976 until his death in 1985. In retirement she moved to Santa Rosa, Calif. after marrying Barry Fletcher in 1990. The couple returned to Port Washington in 2003. Mr. Fletcher died in 2012. Mrs. Fletcher was a member of the Ozaukee County Retired Teachers and Unity Church Sheboygan. She loved to travel, was fascinated by all things metaphysical, had a keen interest in politics and was an avid reader, looking forward to her weekly delivery of Ozaukee Press. She had been the editor of her high school newspaper and loved to check out the stories' headlines and ledes in the Press. But first, she would turn to the editorial on the Opinion page. And she kept a dictionary nearby for the words that stretched her. In recent years, Mrs. Fletcher relied on television for her diversions — staying tuned to MSNBC all day, unless the Lawrence Welk Show or the Green Bay Packers were on. "Mother trusted in the basic goodness of humans and treated everyone with politeness, even telemarketers who pestered her," said her daughter, Christine Jaeger. "We'd laugh about our stubbornness, and she reframed that as perseverance. "She taught me about independence and always reinventing oneself," her daughter said. "When she was in her eighties, she and I went to the same yoga classes. "Mom had a love of flan that she first experienced in Europe, spending time with good friends, walking barefoot at the Pacific Ocean shore even when a sweatshirt and scarf was needed, tending roses, reading non-fiction books that expanded her horizons, and starting each day with prayers for every single family member," said Mrs. Jaeger. "We know that she loved her daughters, but she definitely made sure to shower praise and gratitude on her sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren." That attention was not lost on the next generation. "My grandmother taught me to be a strong woman," added granddaughter Karen Krause. "She taught me being independent is important. She showed me how to get back up after being knocked down. The greatest gift she taught me was to love without condition. She could also give a solid five-minute hug and make goodbye last an hour." Mrs. Fletcher is survived by her daughters Christine (Mark) Jaeger of Oostburg, Ruth (Edward) Mixdorf of the Town of Grafton and Jane (Ken) Yoho of the Town of Saukville; grandchildren Stacy (Peter) Becker, Gregg (Jane Sloss) Mixdorf, Karen (Kevin) Krause, Patrick Mixdorf, Erich (Laura) Smith, Rachael (Alex) Fowler, Ryan (Amanda) Yoho and Amanda (Brad) Williams; 12 great-grandchildren; dear family friend Lou Balch of Port Washington and many other relatives and friends. In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her daughter Susan, and sisters Bernice Langholz and Nadine Mong. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington, preceded by visitation from 1:30 p.m. Family will gather for inurnment on Saturday, Sept. 21, at St. Paul Cemetery in Random Lake. Memorial gifts are encouraged to Special Olympics of Wisconsin, or Unity Church Sheboygan where Mrs. Fletcher was a longtime member. The family would like to express their thanks for the attentive care provided by the staff at Ellen's Home and Horizon Hospice. Arrangements are being handled by Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington.