Dorothy J. “Dottie Jo” Wempe, 72, of Kansas City, MO, formerly of Seneca, KS, died Monday, February 19, 2001, at Carondelet Manor Hospice Center in Kansas City, MO.

She was born December 25, 1928, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Sabetha, KS, the daughter of Clement H. and Josephine A. Eigenman Wempe. She grew up on the family farm, “Riverside Stock Farm,” northeast of Seneca, and graduated from Sts. Peter & Paul High School in Seneca in 1946. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, MO in 1950, and passed her state boards to become a registered nurse. Later she studied for and received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She attended Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, KS. She was a surgical nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Menorah, and St. Luke’s for many years. She received specialized training at the KU Medical Center and was on the surgical team that performed the first heart transplants in the Kansas City area.

Her memberships include the Redemptorist Catholic Church in Kanss City, where she sang in the choir, the Kansas City Art Institute, and the Starlight Theater. She was a volunteer for the Community Blood Center, the United Way, the Salvation Army, and the Red Cross.

Survivors are two brothers, Dr. Charles Wempe, D.V.M. of York, NE and Thomas Wempe of Scranton, KS.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Dr. Lillis Wempe, D.V.M, and Wilfred Wempe; and five sisters, Sr. Mary Borgia S.I.M. (Audrey), Odelia Paxson, Thelma R. Wempe, R.N., Gladys L. Buser, and Sr. Mary D. Carmelite (Beatrice).

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Thursday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A vigil prayer service will be held at 7 PM Wednesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School, Seneca, Kansas 66538, cancer research, or the donor’s choice.