Dorothy A. Lefeber

June 6, 1930 - November 14, 2019

Dorothy Ann Lefeber, daughter of Melvin and Loretta (Schmitz) Branstetter was born June 6, 1930 in Westphalia, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama, Iowa. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Panama. After the death of her mother, at the age of fourteen, Dorothy stayed home to take over household chores while her father worked to provide for the family. She has helped raise 5 generations. On June 27, 1950, Dorothy was united in marriage to Russell Lefeber at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama. To this union three daughters and three sons were born: Lory, Linda, Lois, Lyle, Larry and Lon. After their wedding, Russell and Dorothy made their home in Woodbine before moving to Harlan in 1970. Dorothy stayed home to raise her children and tend to the household. She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan. Dorothy died on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Russell, daughter Lois Goetzinger and sons-in-law Bill Goetzinger, Bill Thomsen; daughter-in-law Nancy Lefeber, grandson Jason Nielsen, siblings Betty McKee, Donna Mae Schafer, and Danny Branstetter. She is survived by her children Lory Thomsen of Denison, Iowa; Linda (Craig) Williams of Woodbine, Iowa; Lyle (Jane) Lefeber of Omaha, Nebraska; Larry (Sharon) Lefeber of Deerfield Beach, Florida; Lon (Gayle) Lefeber of Lincoln, Nebraska; 22 grandchildren; 51 great grandchildren; 9 great-great grandchildren with 1 one the way; siblings Marietta Jacobs of Chisago City, Minnesota; Cecil Branstetter of Logan, Iowa; Rick (Laura) Branstetter of Avoca, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.