Dorothy 'Dot' Strotman

Dorothy ‘Dot’ Strotman, age 84, of Aurora died Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at Hamilton Manor.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, May 3rd at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aurora. Fr. Dennis Hunt will officiate. Interment will be in the Aurora Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with the Rosary at 7:00 P.M. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com.

OBITUARY: DOROTHY STROTMAN

Dorothy Elaine Kolar Strotman, the daughter of Fred and Alma (Wanek) Kolar, was born in Exeter, Nebraska on September 12, 1923 and was called home to our Lord on April 29, 2008 at Aurora, Nebraska at the age of 84.

As a young girl the family moved to Giltner, Nebraska where they farmed with her mother’s family, the Wanek’s, on the One X Ranch. Dorothy attended Excelsior country school outside of Giltner, and continued onto Giltner High School, graduating with the Class of 1940. After graduation, she went to Hastings College and then moved to Lincoln with her sister, Midge, and worked at the University of Nebraska Student Union. Dorothy also worked at the Ordinance Plant in Grand Island, during World War II.

On January 9, 1947 she married the love of her life, Joe Strotman, Jr. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Giltner and they shared 62 years of marriage together. They were blessed with three daughters: Rebecca Ann, Karla Jo and Shirley Jane. Her early years were spent raising her children and being a wonderful mother and farm wife. After the children were grown, she took a part-time job for PJ Refshauge & Orville Nielsen at First Securities Corporation in Aurora as a bookkeeper.

Dorothy was a devout member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aurora and a member of the Altar Society.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert “Butch” Kolar and her special uncles who were like her 2nd & 3rd fathers, Ray & Jack Wanek.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Joe Strotman of Aurora; three daughters, Becky (Jim) Rathman of Aurora, Karla Smith of Mitchell, Nebraska and Shirley Strotman of Aurora and three grandchildren, Laurie Rathman & special friend Brian Barry & daughter Jade Barry of Aurora, Jim Rathman & special friend, Jessica Olson of Gardner, Kansas and Jeff Rathman of Lincoln. She is also survived by her sister, Marjorie Neal of Lincoln; brother-in-law, Don (Bonnie) Strotman of Aurora; sister-in-law, Elaine (Jake) Penner of Grand Island and numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.