Dorothy Handt Stephan passed away on Saturday, December 3. 2022 at the age of 97. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on February 5, 1925, to Paul and Laura Handt. She had two younger brothers Richard and Paul Jr. In 1947 she married Alan Stephan. They lived in Wisconsin till 1973 when they moved to Florida. After Alan’s death in 2010, Dorothy moved to Texas. She spent the last eleven years of her life living in Spring Texas with her daughter and then at Ella Springs Senior Living Community. Eventually she entered their Memory Care facility after developing Vascular Dementia.
In addition to managing a household consisting of a husband, three sons, a daughter and various pets, Dorothy was a “Jill of all trades.” At various time in her life, she baked stollen for sale at Christmas, ran a home party service, sold Amway, self-published a children’s book and sold it at craft fairs, managed a small mobile home park and taught piano.
A lifelong Lutheran, Dorothy was an avid volunteer at the churches she attended. She directed children’s and adult choirs, was a church organist, started libraries at two of the churches she attended, and organized book clubs, to name just a few of the activities she participated in.
She was a testament to the power of music. She took piano lessons starting at 10 years old and continuing through adulthood. Even in her final years she would roll herself over to the piano and play a piece. Her two favorite songs were Kumbaya My Lord and Just As I Am.
She is survived by her four children, Alan, Susan (Chad), Edward (Akiko) and Jack (Janet). She is also survived by nine grandchildren Yukari, Mary, Lisa, Elaine, Kent, Andrew, Julia, Luke, and Justin, three great grandchildren, Ayaka, Carl and Emi (with a fourth one on the way), and many nephews, nieces and friends.
Her memorial service will take place at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 16526 Ella Blvd. Houston Texas on Monday December 19, 2022, at 11:30 am. A light lunch will follow. She will be interred at Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell on January 17, 2023.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you consider supporting her passions in life: libraries, church, and music. Please consider donating to either the Harris County Friends of the Library 5749 South Loop East Houston TX 77033 (www.hcfol.org) or Hosanna Lutheran Church 16526 Ella Blvd. Houston, TX 77090 (welcometohosanna.org).
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