Scheppke, Dorothy

Dorothy Scheppke (Courtesy photo of Sue Ellen Scheppke)

The family of Dorothy Scheppke is saddened to announce her passing on July 29, 2023. Dorothy was born in Livingston, Wisconsin on November 08, 1927, as the first child of farmer and oil salesman Leroy and Ella Isabel Grunenwald. Dorothy studied Home Economics and Chemistry at the University of Dubuque, and taught Home Economics until her marriage to her husband of over 50 years, John F. (Jack) Scheppke in 1950. Dorothy and Jack (her “favorite guy”) had a wonderful marriage that included raising five children. They moved several times, as Jack received promotions with the AC/Delco division of General Motors.  They raised their family in Milwaukee Wisconsin, Houston and Dallas, Texas and in Cincinnati, Ohio before settling in the Seattle, Washington area for over 35 years in semi-retirement. Jack died in 2002 in Des Moines, Washington.  In 2016 Dorothy moved from Wesley Homes in Des Moines to The Waterford in Ridgeland, Mississippi to be near her two daughters, Ann McNally, and Margaret Pigott.

Dorothy made friends wherever she lived and traveled during her 95 years; she will be missed by family and friends all over the country, from Alaska to Florida, and worldwide. She was an avid reader, and loved to knit, play sudoku and the ukulele and watch episodes of “Seinfeld.”  Dorothy remembered many classic songs and nursery rhymes and enjoyed sharing them with her children and grandchildren.  She taught at pre-schools for many years in Houston, Dallas, Cincinnati, and Bellevue Washington.

Dorothy is survived by all five of her children: Ann McNally of Jackson, Mississippi, Jim (Ann) Scheppke of Salem Oregon, Tom Scheppke (Belen) of San Antonio, Texas, Sue Ellen Barbaro (Nick) of Austin, Texas, and Margaret Pigott (Brad) of Jackson, Mississippi; as well as her sister Gretchen James (Orville) of Dodgeville, Wisconsin, and brother Leroy Grunenwald (Susan) of Livingston, Wisconsin. There are eight living grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces. Dorothy was preceded in death by her grandson (Michael McNally) and sister (Diane Gorder) in 2016.

Dorothy will be remembered at a private family gathering in Dodgeville, Wisconsin where her beloved husband Jack and her parents are buried.  

Memorial gifts would be welcome at: 

Habitat for Humanity, Mississippi Capital Area      https://habitatmca.org/

Mississippi Symphony Orchestra        http://msoorchestra.com/