KALIDA – Dorothy Edna von der Embse, 92, of Kalida died at 9:15 a.m. Monday, March 13, 2023 at her home with family present. She was born May 4, 1930 in Kalida to the late August and Eleanora (Westbeld) Verhoff. She married her husband of 65 years, Norman von der Embse, on August 16, 1952. He preceded her in death on November 16, 2017.
Surviving are 7 children: Timothy (Cynthia) von der Embse of Charlotte, NC, Jenny von der Embse of Ottawa, Dan (Janice) von der Embse of Ottawa, Roger von der Embse, Greg (Kelly) von der Embse, Nick von der Embse, and Barry (Beth) von der Embse, all of Kalida. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Pat Verhoff of Bowling Green, and in-laws: Tom and Kay von der Embse of Springboro and Eliane von der Embse of Los Angeles, CA.; 15 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren with two on the way.
She was preceded in death by her eight siblings: Oscar (Leona) Verhoff, Norbert (Dorothy) Verhoff, Mildred (Bill) Inkrott, Paul Verhoff, Florence (Francis) Schumacher, Wilbur Verhoff, Alice (Robert) Croy, and Martha Ann (Charlie) Berheide; and in-laws: Urban von der Embse and Cecilia and John Nartker.
Dorothy graduated from Kalida High School in 1948 and started working at the Putnam County Sentinel as the Society Editor. When all her children were in school, Dorothy, who always wanted to teach, became one of the first “older” Americans to go to college, graduating from OSU-Lima in 1971. She then began an impressive teaching career at Kalida Elementary, educating second graders for 20 years and, after retiring, substitute teaching for an additional 12 years.
Dorothy was also active in the church, teaching religion at St. Michael’s for many years, belonging to several women’s societies, and was part of the church cleaning committee. She was the membership secretary and on the Board of Trustees for the Putnam County Historical Society. Dorothy enjoyed organizing and being a member of her ladies’ card club for many, many years. She was also an excellent seamstress, an outstanding cook, loved crossword puzzles, reading, gardening, and creating cross stitch ‘artwork’ for her family. Dorothy was a devoted wife, and a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 18, 2023 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Kalida with Father Nathan Bockrath officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, March 17, from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa. There will be a C.L. of C/Parish Rosary at 7:30 p.m., Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Putnam County Home Care and Hospice, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Kalida or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Condolences can be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com. 
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