Dorothy Sprotte

Dorothy Ann (Drews) Sprotte Abbotsford, age 80, passed away Feb. 4, 2021, at home, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma.

Dorothy was born November 8, 1940 to Walter and Lucy (Schultz) Drews, along with twin brother, Theodore, on her parents’ farm located east of Colby.

Dorothy was a 1958 graduate of Colby High School. She later graduated from Neenah Menasha Technical School, where she received her licensed practical nurse degree. After graduation she worked at Theda Clark Hospital.

On August 3, 1963, Dorothy married Wallace Sprotte. Dorothy and Wallace operated a dairy farm for 48 years, until they sold their cows and semiretired. They continued to raise crops to the present day and were recognized as a “second generation” Century Farm in 2020.

Highlights of Dorothy’s life included the birth of her children and trips overseas to Austria, Greece, Germany, Switzerland and Israel. In Israel, she visited Masada, took a boat ride in the Sea of Galilee and walked where Jesus walked in Jerusalem— experiences that made the Bible come alive for her.

Dorothy enjoyed crocheting, reading, gardening, mowing lawn, attending Bible classes, and regularly volunteered at Bethesda Thrift Shop. She also enjoyed trips to Houghton, Mich., to visit Keweenaw Base Camp where her granddaughter is employed by Camp Luther. She was an active member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Ladies Aide and taught Sunday School for several years. A devout Christian and family woman, Dorothy was always the first to help in times of need. She will be greatly missed by her family. Survivors include her husband of 57-1⁄2 years, Wallace; children: Kelly (John) Yessa, Lucy (Thomas) Geisking, Steve (Colleen) Sprotte and Nathan (Amy) Sprotte. She is also survived by grandchildren: Dr. Jennifer (Joshua Henderson) Yessa, Raymond (Samantha) Yessa, Justin (Samantha) Geisking, Jeff Geisking, Casey, Paul and Matthew Sprotte; and great-grandchildren: Avryl and Everett Geisking, and Madilyn Yessa. She is further survived by her siblings: Ed (Nona) Drews and Lila (Jack) Revie.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Walter and Lucy; her twin brother, Theodore; infant son, Daniel; grandson, Ezra Sprotte; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Muriel and Walter Moynihan.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Ascension at Home Hospice for their kind and compassionate care. Their support allowed us to care for Mom at home during her final days.

A private service will be held for the family at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Rev. Chad Schopp will preside. A celebration of Dorothy’s life will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers a memorial may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Paid obituary 100568