Dorothy Loptin

Dorothy (Witcofski) Loptin was born on October 28, 1913 in Crab Orchard, Nebraska to August and Nellie (Alspach) Witcofski. At an early age, Dorothy’s mother passed away and she was sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Crab Orchard. She attended grade school in Crab Orchard and high school in Lewiston through the 10th grade. Dorothy’s early life was very hard as she worked with her new family and cared for her two cousins. She was baptized on May 28, 1916 at the Lewiston Methodist Church and confirmed on April 18, 1943 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Millard, Nebraska. Dorothy married Charles Loptin on December 23, 1930 at a church in Council Bluffs, Iowa and to this union one son was born: Terry. Dorothy and Charles raised their family in Boys Town, west Omaha and in 1947, a farm north of Bennington. While on the farm, Dorothy worked diligently side-by-side with Charles milking cows and doing all the jobs around the farm. Dorothy also enjoyed crocheting afghans to give as gifts. In 1963, Charles and Dorothy retired from the farm and moved into the town of Bennington. They served as custodians and caretakers at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bennington for 9 years. Dorothy also worked at Bakers Supermarket and at Boys Town in the mail room. After Charles passed away, Dorothy moved to west Omaha. In 1978, she retired from Boys Town after 15 years, but continued to volunteer her time on several committees at Boys Town. She retired again in 1984 and was made an Honorary Senior Citizen of Father Flanagan’s Boys Home, an honor Dorothy was very proud of. She was active in the Cozy Corner Extension Club and her circle at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Millard, Nebraska. Dorothy enjoyed playing cards, dancing, her Boys Town “life” and her friendship with Father Val Peter. She was a strong woman who spoke her mind, loved her family and followed the accomplishments of her great grandchildren meticulously. In her later years, she moved back to a farm house at Boys Town until her health forced her to move to Marquis Place in Elkhorn. Dorothy passed away on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at the Life Care Center of Elkhorn at the age of 94 years, 3 months and 9 days. She was preceded in death by her parents August and Nellie, husband Charles and 3 brothers Floyd, Alfred and Lavern. Dorothy is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Terry and Carol of Bennington, Nebraska; grandchildren Rob and his wife Di Loptin and Sherri her husband Kurt Sowers; great grandchildren: Jordan, Cori and Byrnlee Loptin and Ben, Jake and Hannah Sowers; and sister-in-law Emma Missal of Peoria, Illinois.

Dorothy Loptin

October 28, 1913 - February 6, 2008