A memorial service celebrating Dorothy A. Tisthammer’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 2, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. Carolann Hopcke officiating. Inurnment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Albion. A visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2025 at Levander Funeral Home in Albion.
Dorothy is the mother of Dee & husband Marv Fritz of O’Neill
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.levanderfuneralhome.com. Levander Funeral Home of Albion is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Ann Tisthammer was born on July 25, 1930, at the family farm seven miles east of Petersburg, Nebraska, to Albert and Dora Larson. She was the sixth of nine children and was delivered by her father, Albert, who declared her a “beautiful baby.” Dorothy passed away at the age of 94 on April 20th, 2025, at Albion Good Samaritan Nursing Facility.
Growing up with loving parents and many siblings brought much togetherness and happiness in those Depression years. Dorothy could recall the lilac bush flowers being gone in a day after the grasshoppers attacked them. The house windows were caked with the “Dirty Thirties” dust. As she looked out, Dorothy’s father came up to the outside of the window, traced a heart on the dusty windowpane, peered at her, and said, “I love you.”
Dorothy was baptized on August 17, 1930, at North Branch Lutheran Church and confirmed on July 16, 1944, at South Branch Lutheran Church by Pastor Palmer Tideman. She attended Country School District 51 and graduated from Albion High School in 1947.
On December 4, 1949, she married her high school sweetheart, Jim Tisthammer, at Zion Lutheran Church in Albion, Nebraska. They honeymooned in Mexico and returned to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where they lived for three years while Jim was in the service. They returned to Albion, which became their lifelong home.
In 1957, Dorothy and Jim opened their hearts and home as they adopted two energetic young boys, Eric and Jerry. Later, they were blessed with the opportunity to adopt two beautiful infants, Dee and Ann. Dorothy’s love for her children, and later grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was a constant in her life, and she cherished them every day.
Dorothy was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Albion, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, served as president of the women’s group, and was a bell choir member. Jim and Dorothy were avid Husker fans and had been football ticket holders since 1962. Dorothy was a dedicated golfer and a long-time member of the Albion Country Club. She loved spending time with her lifelong friends, whether playing bridge, dancing, or enjoying each other’s company. Dorothy’s special interests included baking (butterhorn rolls), knitting, and painting Norwegian tole. Because of her firm faith, she often shared these words, “God is in control,” with her family, which they will always remember. Dorothy’s bright blue eyes and beautiful smile brought light, love, and friendship to many. Her life was a testament to her strong faith, loving family, and commitment to community. She is loved and will be greatly missed by all.
Dorothy was preceded in death by the love of her life, Jim Tisthammer, who passed away on Valentine’s Day in 2011. She was also preceded by their son, Eric, and her parents, Albert and Dora Larson. Dorothy was further preceded by her in-laws, Sam and Hilda Tisthammer, and by seven cherished siblings and their spouses: Myrna Ahrens (Bud), Vera Runnels (David), Dean Larson (Beverly), Margaret Jacobson (Cecil), Caryll Karges (Bill), Alice Howard (Max), and Glenys Quinlan (Tom). She was also preceded by her brother-in-law, Mick Wray, her sister-in-law, and her husband, Betty Johnson (Virgil).
She is survived by her loving family, including her children, Jerry (Barb) Tisthammer, Dee (Marv) Fritz, and Ann (Susie Pulido) Tisthammer. Dorothy also leaves behind her grandchildren: Ryan (Janelle) Tisthammer, Kelly (Scott) Ross, Roger (Vianey) Tisthammer, Mandy Kunzman, Robyn Kunzman, Tyler Kunzman, and Emily (Mikhail) Dexter, step-grandchildren Jeremy (Jody), Julie, and Jeff Fritz, and 20 great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her beloved sister, Laura Muenchrath (John), along with many nephews and nieces. All who knew her loved her deeply and will miss her more than words express.
