Heidelore Bollinger

Heidelore Bollinger (née Ladwig), born December 15, 1936 in Stettin, Germany, passed away on June 15, 2026 serenaded by her family.

She immigrated to New York in 1957, where she built a life rooted in curiosity, connection, and tenacity of purpose. It was there that she met John Bollinger, whom she later married on August 16, 1958. She often joked that she first fell in love with his pink Thunderbird, but it was John who became the love of her life.

Heidi developed a shared passion for all things nautical through her husband John. They spent many years racing their E-scow on Lake Mendota, sailing the East Coast from the Virgin Islands to Newfoundland, and the wet coast from Alaska to Mexico. They lived in Seattle, Puerto Vallarta, and the canals of France on their sailboats Theory, Freogan, Raven and the barge Sirius, whose names all reflected their dreams. Heidi and John cherished experiences of sharing boat life worldwide with their children, grandchildren and many friends.

Heidi was deeply committed to giving back. In 1988, she led and organized a group of volunteers from her basement in the restoration of thousands of American Girl dolls sold through annual benefit events. This benefit supported the Madison Children’s Museum until 2023. Her efforts not only supported the community, but also brought people together around a shared sense of care and generosity. She served as board member and President of the Madison Children’s Museum, the President of the University League and a board member for the United Way.

A lifelong learner, Heidi was an avid reader and graduate of UW-Madison with a Master of Library Science. Heidi spoke five languages and approached the world with curiosity and openness. She had a gift for connecting with others and a deep appreciation for learning, culture, and conversation.

Above all, Heidi loved sharing her knowledge with her family. Whether it be the ratio of flour to milk for the perfect blini, the swirling technique for a poached egg, or the precise timing for planting a tulip bulb; she was a matriarch and creative spirit who could elevate any moment. Heidi lovingly taught us that it is as easy to feed a table of 16 as it is a table of 6, even from a galley at sea.

There are people in this world that, in life, contain a light that is difficult to explain. It is a light that soothes, heals, creates, inspires, and grows. It is infinite, and in death, radiates through each of us.

Our Omi was a person who so clearly held that light. In every moment, in every person she met, in every hardship she endured; her light continued to shine. We feel her warm embrace around us in every moment. So much so that her grandchildren have decided once and for all that each can claim the title of favorite grandchild. With her guiding light, we will continue to dance, to sing, to garden, to sail, to cook…and to grow; and in doing so Omi’s light will find itself beaming on into many generations to come.

Heidi was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, and her husband, John Bollinger.

She is survived by her children: Bill Bollinger; Kiki Bollinger and her husband, Fred Levenhagen; and Pam Andringa and her husband, Jeff Andringa.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Curtis Bollinger (Chelsea), Alyssa Neuser (Kyle), Sarah Schlough (Jason), Cameron Rosen (Michael), John Byce (Nakita), Drew “Howie” Bollinger, Casey Andringa (Roma), Jesse Andringa (Tess), and Heidi Andringa (George); and her great-grandchildren: Liam, Sadie, Lily, Leif, Amara, JJ, Ruby, Leela, Hugo and more to come who will carry her memory forward.