Dorothea Rita was born on Saturday, December 30, 1939 at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. She was an only child, born to Gertrude Noe, a hard-working, single mother who, along with Dorothea's grandmother, "Granny," raised her in Chicago.

A few years later, Gertrude met and began dating Albert Rosenberg. On February 1, 1947, at a small wedding ceremony inside their new home on 59th Court in Cicero, Gertrude and Albert Rosenberg married. And on that day, according to Dorothea, "all of my dull, black and white memories suddenly turned to brilliant color." It was one of the best days of her life.

Dorothea attended Lincoln School, in Cicero, where upon her arrival, the principal spoke with her parents and suggested that Dorothea "skip" second grade. And she did. During this time, Dorothea's teachers impressed upon her that she should study art privately. Though she loved art classes, Dorothea took piano lessons and mastered two-handed material quickly. She soon became an accompanist for her grade school programs and student recitals.

Upon her graduation from eighth grade, Dorothea attended Morton High School. In addition to piano, Dorothea played string bass in the orchestra, and was promoted to play in the band her sophomore year. It was also at this time, because of where she stood in rehearsals, that she was nicknamed "Profile" for staring at a young man sitting in the front, Joseph Frantik, whom she began dating at the end of her junior year.

After graduating Morton High School, Dorothea attended Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. She lived at Neptune Hall and studied general courses. But every weekend, she found herself on a bus back to her parents' home so she could spend Saturdays with Joseph at Northwestern. After one year at Northern, Dorothea moved back home to attend Patricia Stevens' Modeling and Secretarial School. After completing the courses at Stevens, Dorothea became an executive assistant at WAAF radio station. Soon thereafter, she was trained to work at a periodontist office in Chicago where she was employed for four years.

In December 1958, Joseph proposed to Dorothea, and on July 25, 1959, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Riverside, Illinois, they were married. While living in Evanston, Joseph completed his Master's degree at Northwestern, and Dorothea worked at the periodontist office until she found out she was pregnant with her first child.

Joseph James, III, was born to them on April 10, 1961. Because both Dorothea and Joseph were only children, it was most important to them that they continue to have more children. And they did. Alan Robert arrived November 14, 1962, then Thomas Michael, June 28, 1964, Gary William, September 10, 1969, and Jane Dorothea, July 7, 1971. Joseph and Dorothea built their first home on 2 S. 411 Lloyd Avenue, Lombard, Illinois, where they lived for 12 years. Still needing more space, the Frantik's moved to Arrowhead in Wheaton in 1972, where Dorothea and Joseph have lived on Seneca Drive for 35 years.

Dorothea went back to work in the 1980s as a retail manager for The Crystal Center, and later, Kids Mart and Ambassador Greeting Cards. Though enjoying her career, she retired to return to her true passion, being a homemaker.

In the late 80s, a new chapter in Dorothea's life began; she became "Gramma Dorothy" to Megan, Sarah, Joseph, and Daniel; Jacob, and Zachary; Katelyn, Thomas and Elizabeth; Jenna, Nicole, Kathryn and Ryan; and Ben and Mallory. Gramma Dorothy was all the things a grandchild dreamed of in a Gramma: she spoiled them all with her love, creativity, gifts and best of all, her time. She lived for their visits, concerts, sporting events and just time to be together.

Recently, Joseph encouraged Dorothea to attend art classes. It was obvious her grade school teachers were right; she was gifted. And watercolors and sketches were framed on Joseph's dresser and hung on a wall. She spent time researching techniques, and her perspective effortlessly touched her canvas. There was so much more she wanted to create and share….until the news came.

In April 2007, Dorothea began to fight her losing battle with cancer. She peacefully succumbed to the ravages of her disease on Sunday, February 10, 2008, while in her bed, in her beloved Wheaton home with her loving children and dearest husband of 48 years at her side. No longer suffering, no longer in pain, Dearest Dorothea, Loving Mom and Forever Cherished Gramma Dorothy, we will miss you terribly, and you will remain in our memories and hearts forever.