"I clearly remember Dale Dyson's Methodist Sunday School in Carson. He spent several weeks having us taught about other churches with guest teachers. Mrs. Hotze arrived one Sunday to explain the Lutheran faith. I remember that she had a Lutheran hymnal with us and paged through it explaining, briefly, how the liturgy was done. She was a gracious representative of her faith. Years later, I was confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Oakland and spent 35 years teaching in Lutheran parochial schools. Thurleen's Baptism has now been fulfilled and she is among the Church Triumphant! May you be comforted by the Word and Sacrament until you meet again."
In loving memory of
Thurleen Louise Hotze
April 1, 1929 - January 18, 2015
Thurleen Hotze, 85, of Omaha, NE, formerly of Treynor, IA, passed away on January 18, 2015. As per the wishes of her family, Thurleen's funeral service and burial are private.
Memorials are directed to the family.
Loess Hills Funeral Home of Carson, IA in charge of arrangements.
Thurleen Louise (Schnepel) Hotze was born on April 1, 1929 at the Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Otto Henry William and Anna Lydia (Braack) Schnepel. She was baptized into the Lutheran Church in May 1929 at the church located on the site of the current St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, near Treynor, Iowa and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1942. Thurleen attended Pleasant Valley School #1 in Silver Creek Township through the eighth grade and graduated from Treynor High School with the class of 1946. She attended Central College in Pella, Iowa where she received an associate teaching degree in 1948. Thurleen taught for one year in Stuart, Iowa and two years in Oakland, Iowa.
Thurleen and Marion Lewis Hotze were married on November 18, 1950 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Treynor. They made their first home in Oakland before moving to live on the Hotze family farm near Carson, Iowa in the spring of 1951. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Ward Stephen in 1952, Sarah Ann in 1954, and Brenda Joy in 1964.
Thurleen and Marion lived on the family farm for 25 years and began their retirement in 1975 with a move to Treynor, where they built their new dream home.
Thurleen was a homemaker and busy mother. She was a long time member and active volunteer at St. Paul Lutheran Church, serving in the Wedded Band and the Missionettes Circle, as well as volunteering for the local Meals on Wheels. Thurleen was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to all who knew and loved her.
Thurleen continued to live in her Treynor home following the death of Marion on February 19, 2002. As Alzheimer's and mixed vascular dementia began to take a toll, Thurleen moved to the Memory Care Unit at Risen Son Christian Village in Council Bluffs, Iowa in February 2012.
In June 2013, Thurleen moved to Silver Memories, Inc. in Omaha, Nebraska and passed away there on January 18, 2015, at the age of 85 years, 9 months, and 17 days. In addition to her beloved husband Marion, she was preceded in death by her parents; and sister-in-law Doris Hotze Sturgill.
Thurleen is survived by her children, Brenda Sherman and husband Kevin of Springfield, NE, Sarah Plagman and husband Larry of Carson, and Ward Hotze and wife Cindy of Ramona, CA; nine grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
Tributes
"We loved Thurleen. Visits with her were a delight. She was always interested in how we were doing. She was an intelligent and faith-filled lady, always helpful! Praying for your family's Comfort, Strength, and Peace! "