Dorothy R. Kapke

Dorothy Rose Kapke was born on November 8, 1923 to Louis & Fern Craig of Fairbury, NE and went to her heavenly home to be with God on October 12, 2015. All of us are pretty sure that there was quite a reunion when she arrived there, especially with our Dad who was probably waiting with open arms as he has been gone from this earth for 22 years now. Mom was raised in a Christian home with those values becoming a way of life for her. She graduated from Fairbury High School and then attended Normal Training.

She became a teacher for grades 1-8 at a country school for a few years before she was married. We loved to hear her talk about the Model T that she drove back and forth from teaching school each day. She was mighty proud of it. She married Theodore Kapke on Oct. 15, 1944, in a small wedding ceremony at her home and shortly after that our Dad joined the Navy. There were four children to follow – Marilyn Stertz, Nancy Rosenberger, Barry Kapke and Sandra Schmidt.

Mom & Dad’s married life was spent farming and raising a family. Mom was a very private person but would always be willing to help out when needed. She had tremendous love for her family and as the grandchildren and great grandchildren came along each and every one of them was so very special to her. She would remember each of them with a birthday card and a little “extra” cash. We always wondered how she could remember each and every one of them.

Mom was involved in the care of our Brown Swiss herd working alongside Dad. She also enjoyed raising and caring for her brood of chickens. She was 100% a farmer’s wife involved in all aspects of it. In addition to all of this she was on the 4-H Council for many years, taught many girls in 4-H how to sew as well as her daughters, was involved in the 4-H style review at the County Fair and also belonged to an extension club in her younger years.

Preceding her in death is her husband, her parents and four brothers, Faye, Don, Bud & Lynn Craig.

Survivors include her son, Barry and his wife Patricia of Fairbury, daughters, Marilyn Stertz and her husband Dale of Hickman, Nancy Rosenberger and husband Robert of Lincoln, Sandy Schmidt and husband Dell of Fairbury; grandchildren, Tammy Carlson and Tod Stertz of Hickman, Travis Birkett of Cortland, Justin Birkett of Lincoln, Jason Kapke of Beatrice, Heath Kapke of Fairbury, Darren Schmidt of Wyoming, Ryan Schmidt of Wahoo and Landon Schmidt of Fairbury. She is also survived by several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Services will be Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 1:30 p.m.at the First Christian Church in Fairbury with Darlene Novotny officiating. Burial will be in the Fairbury Cemetery with Memorials to the First Christian Church or the Family's Choice.