Botker, Dorothy V. 1920-2017

BOTKER, REKO, VESTAL

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/3/2017 at 15:27:35

LeMars Daily Sentinel
Monday, April 17, 2017

Dorothy Botker, 96, of Le Mars, died Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars.

Dorothy Alma Vestal was born on Dec. 27, 1920 to Samuel and Alma (Reko) Vestal in Winnebago, Minnesota. She was baptized on April 1, 1934 and confirmed on May 13, 1934 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jordan, Minnesota.

She graduated from high school in 1938 in Jordan, Minnesota. She then attended the University of Minnesota for two years.

Dorothy was united in marriage to Norm Botker on May 6, 1943 in Clinton, Minnesota. While Norm was in the United States Navy, they were stationed in California where Dorothy attended San Francisco State. After Norm was honorably discharged, they moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, then to Polson, Montana, and Reedsburg, Wisconsin before settling in Le Mars in 1959.

Dorothy was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church E.L.C.A in Le Mars, the Women of the E.L.C.A. and Brentwood Auxiliary. She was a Red Cross volunteer, Girl Scouts leader, Cub Scout den mother, and was a founding member of the Ephphatha Woman's Circle.

She was a lifelong volunteer, giving her time to teach over 30 years of Sunday School and Bible School, sewing for Lutheran World Relief, chauffeuring the elderly to appointments and errands, delivering Meals on Wheels, and donating her time and talents to various other organizations.

She enjoyed baking cookies, donating the majority of them. She loved her garden, growing flowers, trees, fruits and vegetables. She would can and freeze her produce, also giving away much of it to those in need.

She considered herself a homemaker, spending her time taking care of her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Dorothy is survived by two daughters: Jill Wells of Le Mars and Peggy (Steve) Dickman of Brunsville; a son, Paul (Sherri) Botker of Iola, Texas; six grandchildren: Mike (Kristen) Wells, Brian (Wendy) Wells, Neal (Karen) Wells, Nicholas Dickman, Daniel Dickman, and Katelynn Botker; seven great-grandchildren: Bradey (Rayna), Dylan, Tyler, Zachary, Caleb, Naomi and KariAnna Wells; one great-great-grandchild, Bentley; sisters-in-law: Shirley Botker of Ortonville, Minnesota and Leota (Iver) Moberg of Clinton, Minnesota; and numerous other nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Norm, on Oct. 29, 2003; four siblings; two siblings-in-law; and a nephew, Steven Botker.

Memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, April 20, at St. John's Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m., Wednesday with a prayer service at 7 p.m., all at the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Burial will be at Resthaven Memory Gardens in rural Le Mars.