Dorothea "Dotty" Lydia Roseberry slipped into the arms of her beloved Lord and Savior on May 5, 2022 after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Dotty was born to Richard and Amelia (Miller) Winkenwerder on May 18, 1938 near Sutherland, Neb. As a youngest of 14 children, she was the only one not born at home … she was born at the neighbor's house. She always remarked that her parents certainly did not need another child so she figured God must have sent her for some special reason.

She became the caregiver for many members of her family and friends; she was also considered as the "glue" that held the family close according to her nieces.

Dotty started school in the Lamont country school between Hershey and Sutherland then attended Waverly High School in Waverly while living with a sister. After graduating in 1956, she considered joining the Air Force but changed to pre-nursing in Midland College in Fremont, and then worked as an LPN in Pendleton, Ore. She later worked at the old Memorial Hospital in North Platte.

She joined Rural Youth after coming home to Nebraska and was selected in 1965 as an International Farm Youth Exchange (Peace Through Understanding) to Germany. This changed her life – because of this experience, she traveled the world, made, and kept friends in many countries and states, hosted young people from all over the world to share Nebraska with the world and most importantly, met her future husband, Jim Roseberry. Their relationship almost didn't happen because at first because he reminded her of an old childhood enemy.

Jim and Dotty were married Nov. 26, 1966 – after haying and weaning was done but before winter feeding started. They welcomed son David into the family in 1968, followed by daughters Mari and Amy. Foster son Monte Dill joined the family in 1980. Bonus daughter Marta was an exchange hosted in 1987, who also became part of the family.

In 1993, Jim and Dotty were given the Great Nebraska Family Award by Governor Ben Nelson because of their work with and welcoming of all young people.

Dotty held numerous jobs over her lifetime and excelled at all of them (although she didn't always like all of them): nursing, Bessey Tree Nursery crew, cook then maintenance at the Nebraska State 4-H Camp, Farm Crisis Hotline, Census and, of course, rancher and ranch wife.

She also had numerous volunteer jobs and had an amazing green thumb having large and numerous flower and vegetable gardens each year, plus a year-round hobby greenhouse. She also loved and constantly added to her extensive nativity collection.
Greeting her in Heaven was her beloved grandson Cole Roseberry; son Monte Dill; her parents; 12 siblings; several nieces and nephews; and special friends Ina Coffman, Lex Ann Simonson and Phyllis Saner.

Left her to celebrate her life are her husband Jim of Dunning; son Dave of Kearney; daughters Mari of Dunning and Amy (Stephen) Schweitzer of Kearney; bonus daughter Marta (Tim) Odegard of St. Paul, Minn.; grandchildren Ty (fiancée Gina Brokke) and Cash Roseberry, Bret Schweitzer and Evan, Marcos, Maria, and Nicholas Odegard; sister Edith Phetteplace; special kitty Maggie; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and an entire community of loving friends and neighbors.

Dotty was a faithful supporter of many causes and charities close to her heart so as a memorial we ask that you donate to your favorite cause. Some of her favorites include Sandhills Community Church, Sandhills Benevolent Fund, Sandhills Cancer Fund, Women's Resource Center, Samaritan's Purse and GoodDays.com who helped pay many of her medical bills over time.

Funeral services will be Thursday, May 12 at 11a.m. at the Sandhilll's High School Auditorium with Pastor Mark Sievering officiating. Burial will be in the Hawley Flats Cemetery east of Dunning. Visitation will take place Wednesday, May 11 from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. with family greeting 5-7 p.m.at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com.
Published by Custer County Chief from May 9 to May 15, 2022.