Dorothy M. Kotera

Dorothy M. Kotera

April 11, 1930 – July 1, 2019

Dorothy Marie Kotera was born April 11, 1930, in Dwight to James and Lillian (Pelan) Pavel and passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Wahoo on July 1, 2019, at the age of 89 years, 2 months and 20 days. Dorothy grew up on farm near Dwight, where she attended Country School District 73 and later attended Dwight Assumption High School.

On April 18, 1949, Dorothy married Ernest J. Kotera, and to this union three children were born. Dorothy worked at the egg plant in David City. They lived near Dwight for a short while until 1960 when they moved to Bee. They resided in Bee for 45 years. Dorothy cleaned houses for several families in Seward. Dorothy loved to spend time with her family and grandchildren. She enjoyed flowers, reading, sewing and embroidering. She loved making oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for her grandchildren.

She was a member of St. Wenceslaus Church, Altar Society and choir and the Dwight American Legion Auxiliary. In 2004, they made the move to Seward and she transferred her membership to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ernie (2005); daughter-in-law, Pamela; sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Leonard Niemann; and brother and sister-in-law, James B. and Leona Pavel.

Survivors cherishing her memory include her children, Kenneth and LuJane Kotera of Brainard and their sons, Neil Kotera of Gretna and Kurtis (Liz) Kotera of Milford; Marlene and Kenrick Morgan of Seward and their children, Ryan (Amy) Morgan of San Francisco, California, Eric (Rachelle) Morgan of Brainard, Craig Morgan and fiance, Ashlie Zima of Valley; and Les Kotera of Wahoo and children, Alex Kotera and fiance, Kate McDermott of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, and Melissa Kotera of Omaha; eight great-grandchildren, Shelby, Nathan, Zane and Cole Miller, Lily and Abby Morgan and Avery and Grayson Kotera; sister-in-law, Helen Eller; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

A rosary service was held July 8, 2019, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on July 9, both at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Bee, with the Rev. Raymond Jansen celebrating mass. Monsignor Robert Tucker, the Rev. Brendan Kelly and the Rev. Steven Snitily were concelebrants. A graveside service and interment were in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in Bee. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dorothy Kotera family for future designation. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.