Dorothy Lee Hilfiker

Dorothy Lee Hilfiker (Dahlgren) passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday May 20, 2026.

Dorothy was born on July 25, 1945 to Lyle and Stella (Bignell) Dahlgren in Durand, Wisconsin. Her family moved to Colfax and lived there until their family home and business were destroyed by a tornado in 1958. Her family then moved to Eau Claire where she was part of the first graduation class at Eau Claire North High School. She was active in choir, student council, and art shows. She was proud that her dog, Rebel, was the model for the dog on the roof of North High.

Shortly after high school, she met and married the love of her life, Ray Hilfiker. During this courtship, she began going by her middle name Lee. They have been married for 60 years. They lived in Eau Claire the majority of their marriage.

Lee graduated from UW-Superior with a degree in elementary education and art and taught at a school in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. She then received her master's degree in art therapy and practiced at Luther Mayo in Eau Claire. She was also a founding therapist at Clearwater Clinic. Lee was a lifelong learner and educator who was passionate about helping others. She was a licensed professional counselor, certified art therapist, certified expressive therapist, certified clinical hypnotherapist, healing touch and reiki practitioner, Shamana, spiritual counselor, and ceremonial specialist.

In addition to her contemporary professional training, she has studied ancient healing traditions for more than 30 years. She has traveled extensively to apprentice with many indigenous medicine mystics throughout North America, Mexico, and South America's Andes and the shamans of the Amazon. Lee has taught healing methods and lead ceremonies both in the US and internationally.

Lee is the mother to two children, Genae Coach (Shane) of Hammond, WI and Lyle Hilfiker of Madison, WI. She is Nana to Brinley, Keaton, Liberty, Crosby, Isaiah, and Grayson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Stella and Lyle Dahlgren, her sister, Patricia, and her grandsons, Maguire and Dakotah.

A celebration of life will be held for Lee on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, West Chapel, 1405 N. Clairemont Avenue, Eau ClaIre. . Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Online condolences for Lee's family may be left at www.lenmarkfh.com.