Dorothy M. Miller, Fayette, Iowa, February 2, 2025

Dorothy May Teepe Wedemeier Miller, 99 of Fayette, Iowa passed away Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa. Dorothy May was born March 29, 1925 to Barnhardt “Barney” Fredrick Teepe, Jr and Clara M. Barth Teepe in Donnan, Iowa. Her full given name was Irien Dorothy May Teepe, but she always went by Dorothy. She attended Randalia and Donnan Country Schools graduating from the 8th grade. Her teachers wanted her to go on to high school in West Union, but the family could not provide regular transportation for her to get there. After graduation, she became a hired girl for the Melvin Craun family by Horton, Iowa.

On a trip to the mailbox, she met her future husband, Otto Albert Wedemeier, Jr. They married on June 25, 1945 at the Lutheran Church in Monona, Iowa and then returned home to the Wedemeier farm by Horton. They continued to work the family farm milking holsteins, collecting eggs from their chickens, raising hogs, butchering and doing custom baling. Dorothy would also work in Waverly at the canning factory alongside Japanese Prisoners of War who were watched under armed guard. Daughter, Mary Jane, would join their family in 1951. Otto and an unborn son were killed in a car accident outside Horton on October 20, 1960 changing the course of the family. This led to Dorothy and Mary relocating to Fayette to be closer to her parents.

Upon moving to Fayette, Dorothy worked at the Maple Motel as a housekeeper, cleaned local businesses, took in laundry, and worked at Upper Iowa University in the cafeteria. In 1965, she met Lowell Donald Miller, and were then married March 5, 1969. In 1973, they bought Marie’s Lounge and opened Lowell’s Lounge on Main Street of Fayette. It was then sold in 1975. Lowell began “Lowell’s Trucking” that year while Dorothy kept books and helped with the business. She also babysat for local families while also keeping busy as a member of the Fayette Fireman’s Auxiliary. Dorothy became very active in Grace Lutheran Church as a Sunday school teacher from the early 1990’s to 2002. Additionally, from 2000-2004, she provided childcare a few days a week for great grandson, Luke. On March 31, 2005, Lowell passed away during a brief stay at Palmer Memorial Hospital.

Through the years she enjoyed the following activities: spending time at the Mississippi River cabin, fishing, ceramic painting, needle point, gardening, tending her petunias, baking, church activities, time with friends, and taking care of her dogs and cats. She has resided in The Maples since the fall of 2015.

Dorothy is survived by daughter, Mary Jane (Kenneth) Lawless; granddaughter, Amanda Lawless; and great grandson, Lucas Lawless Anderson; several nieces and nephews are also left to treasure her memory, Shirley Howard, Raymond Teepe, LaVerne Teepe, David (Penny) Teepe, Bernadine (Rick) Peterson, Patsy (Dennis) Baumler, Linda (Chris Hicks) Wolfs, Jane (Larry) Orvella, Helen (Jerry) Cox, Lenny (Linda) Teepe, Gloria (Kenneth) Becker, Arlene (Duane) Moore, Jimmy Teepe along with sister in law – Ivanelle Stone and a multitude of great nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Barney and Clara Teepe; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lester (Deloris) Teepe, Leonard (Helen) Teepe, Sr., Clarence (Fydollis Ehrlich) Teepe. Additional brothers and sisters-in-law preceding her include, Bill and Marie Wedemeier Kingsley, Raymond and Esther Schwartz Wedemeier, Joe and Cleva Miller, and Bill Miller. Niece and nephews passing before her include, Geraldine Cox, DeWayne Teepe, Arthur Teepe, Sr., and 3 baby Teepe boys (John, Dickie and Paul).

A Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fayette, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Friday.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, February 7, 2025 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fayette, Iowa with Rev. Kent Peck as the officiant.

Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery in Fayette, Iowa.

Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with services.

 



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