Dorothy Bentke, 88, of Caldwell passed away on July 19, 2023.
Dorothy was a vivacious woman who loved to go dancing with the Happy Feet Club.
When she wasn’t tearing up a dance floor she enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, playing dominoes and volleyball.
She was a hard worker and could out work many a man.
Dorothy had a pet deer she lovingly named “Pumpkin.”
She lived the true farm life and often did farm chores including milking cows, taking care of chickens, hogs, donkeys, mules, coons, and buffalo.
She also processed meat, built fences and baled hay. Dorothy’s favorite treat was fried chicken.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie Schulte and Mary (Englemohr) Schulte; husband, Melvin Bentke; brother, Philip Schulte and wife, Verline; father and mother-in-law, Ernest Bentke and wife, Elsie; brothers-in-law, Lawrence Gall, Andrew Bentke, Ernest and Marilyn Bentke; nephew, Donald Gene Gall.
Survivors include her nephews, Russell Bentke and wife, Rhonda, Kenneth Gall and wife, Mary Sue, Kevin Dean Schulte and wife, Beverly; nieces, Deborah Kay Gaskamp and husband, Roger, Cynthia Gay Flentge and husband, Glenn; brother, Edward Schulte and wife, Ruth; sister, Mary Ruth Gall; greatnieces, Raeann Shelfer (Bradley), Leticia Dawn Gaskamp, Rachel Heater (Trayse), Shelia Lee (Daniel), Raynie Broesche (Garrett), Nicole Smith; stepgreat-nieces, Christin Lee, Allison Savage, Robin Lee, Alyssa Lee; great-nephews, Keith Edward Gall (Leigh), Lonnie Gall (Kelly), Brent Ashley Gaskamp (Carissa), Craig Flentge (Tugi), Brad Flentge; along with numerous great-greatnieces, nephews, friends, family, church family, and close friends, Ruth Ellis and Verna Mae.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Dean Schulte, Roger Dale Gaskamp, Tom Stone, Bradley Shelfer, Trayse Heater, and Garrett Broesche.
Honorary pallbearers are Russell Bentke, Kenneth Gall, George Staff and Glenn Flentge.
Memorials can be made to Lyons Evangelical Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Strickland Funeral Home. They invite you to visit their website at www.stricklandfuneralhomes. com and sign the online register book.