Dee Taylor, age 89 of Rice Lake, WI, died Thursday, August 10, 2023 in Rice Lake.

Dee was born on May 30, 1934, in Ironwood, Michigan to Angelo and Rose (Da Pra) Baldovin.

She attended school in Hurley, Wisconsin and graduated from J. E. Murphy high school in May,1952 with National Honor Society honors. She also attended college at University of Wisconsin- Barron County and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She graduated with a BS degree in Elementary Education with an English minor in May 1973. She received summa cum laude honors. She received her MST degree in the Reading/Language area in December 1980. After becoming an elementary educator, she taught school at the Jefferson Elementary School in Rice Lake for twenty-six years. She retired on June 5, 1999. She was passionate about sharing her love for education with all her students and worked towards improving education in her retirement years. She belonged to the WEA/NEA throughout her teaching career and belonged to these associations after retirement. She was an active member of NUE and on the negotiating committee for many years. She was on the Board of Directors of NUE-retired. She was an active member in the Barron County Democratic party. And served as Membership Chair for many years. She also belonged to Fortnightly for many years. She also served on the Friends of the Library Board. One of her passions during her life was social justice and fairness for all. She also had strong beliefs regarding protecting all aspects of the environment. On July 24, 1954, Msgr. Michael Prock united her in marriage to John H. Taylor at St. Mary’s Church in Hurley, Wisconsin. They moved to the Rice Lake area in October,1967. She was a past member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hurley, WI, and a present member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rice Lake. Her greatest love was her family—husband John, children, and grandchildren. Going to all the sports activities and other events that her children and grandchildren participated in was a great love. She cheered them on. She was also an avid Packer and Badger supporter. Traveling, reading, watching movies, and the beauty of flowers and nature were other events in her life that brought her great joy. Visiting every state in the US was an accomplishment she was proud of. Dee was preceded in death by her husband, John on October 24th, 2007, and her parents, Angelo and Rose Baldovin.

She is survived by a beloved daughter Renee (Mark) Watrud, two beloved sons, John (Margy) Taylor, and Jeff Taylor. Her beloved grandchildren, Michael Schlinsky, Carmen Taylor, Maria Schlinsky, Zane Taylor and Kenzie Taylor. A nephew, David Baldovin and a niece, Andria Davis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM Friday, August 25, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rice Lake, Father Joseph Kumar officiating, with interment in St. Joseph Cemetery in Rice Lake. Visitation will be held from 9-11AM Friday, August 25 at the church. Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake is serving the family with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers donation could be made to THE RICE LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Last Update: Aug 14, 2023 9:00 am CDT