Dorothy Ruth Werner

Dorothy was born in Deshler, Nebraska on November 19, 1925. She was the sixth of seven children born to Jess and Dora Von Fange.

She was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, and was a lifelong member of the LCMS.

St. Peter's included a parochial school, and Dorothy attended there from grade I through grade 8. She was a third-place winner in the Tri-County Spelling Bee in the grade, and became active in the LCMS Walther League after confirmation. She attended Deshler public high school, and in her senior year she presented the class history at their commencement exercises.

She participated in the 4-H program from grade 6 through grade I l, learning crafts, needlework, sewing, cooking and canning. In her grade 9 Home Economics class, she sewed garments for her teacher in lieu of normal beginners projects, earning $1.00 per garment along with the credits.

After high school, she attended the Electronic Radio Television School in Omaha, NE. She became a teletype operator as a civilian employee for the Air Service Command at McClellan Air Force Base at Sacramento, CA.

In November 1943, while visiting her sisters in Chicago, Dorothy worked briefly in the mailroom at the

Lutheran Army and Navy Commission office where her brother-in-law, Rev. Paul Mehl, was the

Executive Secretary. She mailed out small open ended cartons, containing a prayer book and a New Testament Bible, to newly inducted Lutheran servicemen. She was told to add a little note to any with names she recognized. When she saw Harlan Werner's name, she enclosed a brief note asking if he had lived in Deshler, NE and gone to school with Erich Von Fange. If so, she sent a hello from his sister Dot. A war time correspondence developed. Dorothy and Harlan were married on June 22, 1946 at St. Peter's Lutheran church in Deshler, NE. Her full length wedding gown and veil were of her own creation. They made their home in Napa, CA where Harlan was employed at the Sawyer Tanning Co.

In Napa they were blessed with the birth of Cathy and Gerry. They were members of St. John's Lutheran Church and Dorothy was active in the LWML.

In 1951, they moved to San Luis Obispo where Harlan began working as a Traffic Officer for the Highway Patrol. They transferred church membership to Zion Lutheran church there. Once again they were blessed with another child, Janet. Dorothy was again active in LWML and served at various times as President, Vice President, Secretary and Program Chairman. She also in charge of Zion's Couples Club activities, later changed to include Singles. For the 1976 U.S. Centennial Church banner she created there, she developed her own pattern from a crude sketch 2" square. It was still on display more than 20 years later.

The Good Shepherd Auxiliary was an important activity and Dorothy constructed many hundreds of items for the 'benefit boutiques' held at Zion. She served as church secretary for several years, first as a volunteer, and then at minimum wage, until she went to work for the San Luis Coastal Unified School District as Payroll Clerk in 1965.

She was also active as a group leader in Camp Fire Girls and Cub Scouts.

After moving to Fremont in 1979, she became an active member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

She participated in LWML as long as health permitted. She created several large banners for the church, constructed all the paraments for the Contemporary worship services in the gym (used later in the Mosley Chapel, and helped on the steering committee with phases I, Il, and Ill of the TIT fund raiser for the new church facilities. Her favorite contribution was for Pastor Mosley's retirement in 1994 for which she designed and constructed a Ministry Banner to his liking, and wrote a 12-verse parody of his life to the tune of Gilbert and Sullivan's HM S Pinafore. Chuck Zimbrick sang the lyrics with audience participation.

Dorothy also spent 2 years as a Discussion Leader for the Bible Study Fellowship program that met at the Presbyterian church, and continued to construct countless items for the Good Shepherd 'benefit boutiques" for Zion in San Luis Obispo until they discontinued them because of the advancing ages of the participants. She also continued to fashion countless items of clothing for herself, for the members of her family, and for others.

In 1992 Dorothy accompanied two of her brothers and sisters-in-law to Germany to visit ancestral areas and add to her collection of family information that began as a scrapbook collection during her childhood. She later put it all together in one large binder and made copies for other family members. She continued to assist in gathering historical information about her family lineage.

Dorothy enjoyed visiting with and caring for her Grandchildren and Great-Grand Children

Dorothy enjoyed family trips to Von Fange and Werner reunions back east. She took classes at Ohlone College in writing and drawing. Dorothy helped her brother Erich by proofing his manuscripts prior to publication.

Dorothy is survived by son Gerald and wife Nanci, daughter Janet and husband James, 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Harlan and her daughter, Cathy. Harlan and Dorothy celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on June 22, 2016.

Thanks to all his family and friends who were part of her life especially her caregivers the last couple of years who provided her the best quality of life possible. Her strong faith in God was a notable example of a life well lived. She will be missed.