Dorothy Meyer

Dorothy V. Meyer, born Velma Dorothy (Ahlers-Scheele) Meyer, died on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 at the Washington County Hospital. Dorothy had reached the age of 85 years, 10 months and 13 days. A funeral service was held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. Rev. Judy Hill officiated. Sheilla Ouellette played the organ while Dr. Jim Smart sang “Amazing Grace” and “In the Garden”. Sheilla also played “Jesus Loves Me”. Pallbearers were Matt Leidig, Jeremy Leidig, Lonny Leidig, Rick Samland, Jerry Miller and Ron Funke. Burial was in the Hanover City Cemetery. Dorothy was born Feb. 14, 1923 in Hollenberg, KS; Dorothy was the fourth child of Wilke and Barbara (Steinlein) Ahlers. Dorothy was one of a family of nine children, seven of whom grew to adulthood. She was baptized in the St. John’s Catholic Church in Hanover while an infant, and confirmed there in 1937, after the family had moved to Hanover, due to her mother’s illness. Her first nine years of schooling were attained at Hollenberg, and the last three years in Hanover, where she studied to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher. Graduating in 1941, her teaching career began that fall in the “Laverentz” Country School, which was a few miles north of Hanover. Believing that she was blessed to become a teacher, Dorothy harbored in her heart an adage with words and numbers: 2 Teach is 2 touch lives 4-ever. On July 5, 1943 Dorothy and Staff Sergeant William F. Scheele were joined in holy matrimony by the Reverend Theodore Kauffeld. The evening of June 13, 1943, Rev. Kauffeld conducted Dorothy’s Confirmation of Faith, which was the first English ceremony to be performed in that rural Hanover “Trinity Lutheran Church”. A son, William Noel, blessed their union. Widowed in July of 1945, Dorothy resumed the teaching profession in 1946. Dorothy and Leonard J. Meyer were married by Reverend O. K. Okie of Hanover, Kansas on the 31st day of January, 1948. They made their home in the “Silver Cliff” neighborhood, living at the Meyer- established homestead. In this union, she shared the caring of Leonard’s mother for eight years, became the mother of Donald and Melanie, was a substitute instructor at the Hollenberg Grade and High Schools, and accepted the teaching position at the near-by “Lone Mound” Country School in 1960. She was later privileged to tutor two young lads, one from Hollenberg and the other from rural Morrowville. Dorothy was fond of youngsters and of the elderly. For two years, she enjoyed being a Cub Scout leader for a group of young ‘gents’ in the Hollenberg community. Later, for eight years, she cared for the elderly at their homes in Washington. In the still of the night, she loved to study the Bible and to read. She also wrote poetry and short articles which she shared with her family and her many friends. Dorothy was fond of music and liked ball room dancing. Her Biblical favorite was a version of the 23rd Psalm. She had received this version during WW II from a minister in Oklahoma. It is as follows: HE LEADETH ME Rev. John F. Chaplain In pastures green? Not always; sometimes He Who knoweth best, in kindness leadeth me in many ways where heavy shadows be. Out of the sunshine warm and soft and bright Out of the sunshine into the darkest night, I oft would faint with sorrow and affright, Only for this -- I know He holds my hand; So whether in the green or desert land I trust although I may not understand. And by still waters? No, not always so: Ofttimes the heavy tempests round me blow. And o'er my soul the waters and billows go. But when the storms beat loudest and I cry Aloud for help, the Master standeth by And whispers to my soul, "Lo, it is I." Above the tempest wild I hear Him say, "Beyond this darkness lies a perfect day. In every path of thine I lead the way." So whether on the hilltops high and fair I dwell, or in the sunless valleys where The shadows lie -- what matters? He is there. So where He leads me, I can safely go, And in the blest hereafter I shall know Why, in His wisdom, He hath led me so. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, William F. Scheele; husband of 50 1/2 years, Leonard Meyer; one son, Donald Meyer; two sisters, Lucille Ahlers and Lois Scheele; two brothers, infant Bernard and Noel Ahlers; and daughter-in-law, Sharon K. Scheele. Survivors include one son, William N. Scheele and wife Barbara of Steele City, NE; one daughter, Melanie R. Brandt of Odell, NE; one grandson, Curtis W. Scheele and wife Jodie of Holdrege, NE; two granddaughters, Cheryl L. Scheele of Steele City, NE, and Haley Renee’ Brandt of Odell, NE; four sisters, Anna May Herda of Linn, KS, Ruth Funke of Washington, KS, Naomi Knuppel and husband Harry of Albia, IA, and Julia Root of Washington, KS; several nieces & nephews; special friend, Alvin “Pete” Back of Washington, KS; and a very special couple, Hugh and Erika Loseman of Brea, CA. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dorothy Meyer, please visit our flower store.