Dorothy Gertrud Buto

Dorothy Gertrud Buto – an amazing wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully Saturday, October 25, 2025, surrounded by family.

She was born December 31, 1940, in Germany to Karl and Bertha Rosenberger. She grew up living in the country, tending to the animals and doing all the things little girls do. At age 8, during the summer of 1949, Dorli and her family emigrated to the United States for a new home in the Pennsylvania Poconos with her aunt and uncle to begin life in America. She became a proud Ohio University graduate and continued on to earn a master's degree in German at Indiana University.

Dorli met the love of her life, Glen Lee Buto, on February 15, 1963, and they were married on June 27, 1964. They moved to California a year later where they tended to 61 years of marriage together. They were blessed with two children, Robert (Teri) Buto and Anne (Adam) Leache. They have three grandchildren who they love dearly, Carmela, Sofia, and Caleb.

Dorli loved Jesus and was a devout member of the Catholic church. She volunteered at the The Life Center of Santa Ana for many years and was actively involved at her parish, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. She will be fondly remembered for her famous sandwiches provided weekly along with a hug to those in need. Dorli's career in teaching touched many lives. She taught German in her early career and later English to those newly arrived in the US.

Dorli enjoyed traveling with Glen and family to destinations all over Europe, South America, and across the US including every National Park in the lower 48 and even a few in Alaska! In her later years she especially enjoyed time with family and friends while making her famous apple pie.

She was preceded in death by her parents Karl and Bertha, her brother Paul, and sister Lisa.

Dorli would be grateful for any donations to:

The Life Center of Santa Ana

2428 N. Grand Ave., Suite K

Santa Ana, CA 92705

www.lifecenterofsantaana.org