Dorothy H. Wempe, 98, of Seneca, Kansas, died Sunday, May 6, 2012 at Crestview Manor care home in Seneca.

Dorothy was born in Seneca, Kansas on March 21, 1914 to Joseph and Bertha I. Strathman Nolte. She grew up there and attended Sts. Peter & Paul Grade and High Schools. She then went to work for Strathman Department Store in Seneca until marriage.

She married Kenneth C. Wempe on Jan 15, 1936 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Dorothy and Kenneth owned and operated a dairy farm near Corning for 17 years. Kenneth preceded her in death on December 4, 1956 after 20 years of marriage. At the time of her husband’s death, they had four children with the youngest being 1 year old.

After losing her husband, Dorothy retuned to Seneca and worked for Strathman Studio until 1962. In 1962 she was hired as a teller for Citizens State Bank (now United Bank & Trust), eventually becoming head teller. Dorothy retired from the bank in 1979.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca, and the St. Ann’s Altar Society and the Sts. Peter & Paul quilters, at the church.

Dorothy enjoyed traveling and visited all the lower 48 states. When she wasn’t traveling she loved quilting, embroidery, sewing, cards and ceramics. She was a multi-talented person who loved her grandchildren and gave them most of her handiwork.

Besides her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by a daughter Judith Huninghake on July 20, 1991; two brothers, H.A. Jody and Herbert Nolte; and a sister Roberta Hurlburt.

She is survived by two daughters, Sarah Bowhay of Kansas City, Missouri and Alice (Bruce) MacCallum of St. Charles, Illinois; her son, Cloyd (Sandy) Wempe of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; siblings, James Nolte of Chicago, Illinois, Jeanette Wichman of Holton, Kansas, Claudia Woodruff of Nacadocious, Texas and Georgina Vancott of Klamath Falls, Oregon; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be prayed at 7 PM Wednesday, May 9, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM Thursday, May 10, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given in Dorothy’s memory for Sts. Peter & Paul Church, and sent in care of the family.