Dorthy L. Haeffner
Dorthy L. Haeffner, age 94, passed away on December 22, 2017 at Hermann Area District Hospital.
Dorthy, the youngest daughter of Herman David and Emma Jane Maupin Gumper, was born November 20, 1923, in Moscow Mills, MO.
At the age of eight years she with her family moved to the Stony Hill area in Gasconade County. She was a graduate of the Richwood Elementary School, New Haven High School, Central Missouri State College and Lincoln University.
On August 21st, 1949 she was united in marriage with Eugene A. Haeffner in the parsonage of the Evangelical Church in Stony Hill. They became the parents of two sons: Michael E. Haeffner of Camdenton, MO and Donald L. Haeffner & special friend Cyndi Smith of Odessa, TX. Mr. Haeffner, a WWII veteran passed away on September 21, 1974.
Dorthy was an elementary school teacher in the Gasconade County R-1 District for many years. Dorthy also taught school at the Stolpe, Lone Grove and Roth schools in addition to teaching at the Old German School building in Hermann. She and her sister Opal Rethemeyer were some of the first ‘English’ (versus German) teachers at the old German school. Interestingly, her sister Opal, who was 7 years older, was at one time her teacher in school. Dorthy loved being a teacher and will be remembered by the hundreds of school children whose lives she touched.
Dorthy loved to quilt and was an accomplished artist-especially her many paintings of oil on canvas. She was a member of the St Paul United Church of Christ in Hermann.
She is survived by both sons, Nephews Chris Rethemeyer & wife Lisa, Tom Rethemeyer & wife Marilyn, Gary Gumper & wife Pam. Niece Patricia Schowe & husband Wayne, numerous great nieces & great nephews along with many friends. She is preceded in death by two sisters Hazel Gumper & Opal Rethemeyer and two brothers Elton ‘Buck’ Gumper & Pete Gumper.
Visitation was held Wednesday, December 27, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Toedtmann & Grosse funeral home, where services were held Thursday at 3.
Burial was at the Hermann Cemetery. Memorials may be given to St. Paul’s U.C.C. in Hermann or to the Hermann Area District Hospital. C/O Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home.