Dorothea "Dottie" Elsie (Koepp) Huebschman

Dorothea “Dottie” Elsie (Koepp) Huebschman joined the multitude of saints on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, where she lives on in glory (John 11:25-26).  Dottie lived a life of quiet and joyful service to her Lord and Savior, to her family, and to the many children she taught over the years.  Dottie spent her entire adult life leading children to Jesus (Matthew 19:14) as an elementary school teacher, serving others in love and kindness.  Her warm smile and thankful heart brightened the lives of many.

Dottie was born in Chicago, Illinois to Herb and Ella Koepp on October 20, 1940, the second of four children and only daughter.  She attended St. John’s Lutheran church and school within walking distance of her Chicago home, where she developed lifelong friendships with grade-school classmates.  Her desire to be a Lutheran school teacher brought her to Seward, Nebraska and Concordia Teachers College upon her graduation from high school in 1958.  There, she met her husband Ray in 1960; they were united in marriage on August 11, 1962, and had 62 wonderful years together.

Dottie began her teaching career at Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Staplehurst, Nebraska following her graduation from Concordia.  She also taught at Holy Cross Lutheran School and Messiah Lutheran Preschool, both in Fort Wayne, Indiana, before returning to Seward in 1984 where she taught elementary students at St. John Lutheran School until her retirement in 2003.  In retirement, Dottie continued a life of service.  In 2006, she and Ray were moved by the Holy Spirit to serve in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, following the devastation of the 2004 tsunami there.  Dottie and Ray taught English in government schools, where they lived out their Christian witness in the lives of all those they encountered.  At the end of their first trip, Dottie said to her fellow teachers and students, “We came here because of the tsunami, if we return, it’s because we love you.”  And return they did, three more times.

Without a doubt, the children that Dottie had the biggest impact on during her lifetime were those to whom she was simply, “Mom”.  Her steadfast love, her gentle encouragement, her listening ears, her ability to offer just the right words at the right time, and her endless prayers for all of us, her children, are all things for which there are no words of thanks.  And she made us laugh!  She was a joyful person and a good sport and loved to giggle, especially with her daughter. 

She will be dearly missed by many, particularly by her husband Ray.  They were a “team” and Dottie’s love and support of him were evident to all.  Together they welcomed family, friends, and strangers to share their home and table over the years, whether for cards, Bible study, 2nd-grader birthday parties, or holiday gatherings.

Dottie is survived by her husband, Ray; son, Tim (Paula) Huebschman of Plymouth, WI; daughter, Kathy (Scott) McDonald of Overland Park, KS; son, Jeff (Erin) Huebschman of Lancaster, WI; grandchildren, Jaimie (Joshua) Ramsey; Eric (Bekah) Huebschman; Melody (Myles) Martinez; Jake (Faith) McDonald; Eli (Desi) McDonald;  Isaac McDonald; and Sadie McDonald; and great-grandchildren, Peter, Jonathan, Christina, AnnElise, Grace, Titus, Harper, Carter, Lany, Truman, and Fox.  Dottie is also survived by her brother Bob (Janet) Koepp and many nieces and nephews.  She was proceeded in death by her parents, her parents-in-law, brothers Herb and Howard, and sisters-in-law, Marge Trader and Millie Ayres.

MEMORIALS IN CARE OF -  ST. JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT, MISSION CENTRAL, WORSHIP ANEW OR DONORS CHOICE.

If you are unable to attend the service we invite you to worship with us via livestream on YouTube at "St. John Seward Livestream". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuYXKQAc3t4

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