Dorothy Marie Zipfel

DOROTHY MARIE ZIPFEL, 93, of Evansville, Illinois, passed away at 6:35 pm, Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at Freeburg Care Center, Freeburg, Illinois.

She was born to the late Harry and Ella (nee Salger) Degener on February 13, 1932, in Red Bud, Illinois.

Dorothy married Firmin Francis Zipfel on April 3, 1951, at the rectory at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud, Illinois; he preceded her in death on November 5, 2002.

Dorothy was one of the first two women to be hired at Snyder General Furnace Company in Red Bud and worked there for 23 years. She also had been a seamstress at the Adorers of the Blood of Christ Convent in Ruma for 16 years. Most of all, she had been a homemaker and helped her husband on the farm.

She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ruma, Illinois, and the Ladies Aid. She had been a charter member of St. John Evening Guild in Red Bud and Monroe County Home Extension for over 60 years. She had also been a 4-H leader for Po-ettes in Monroe County for many years.

Dorothy loved her cats and feeding her hummingbirds. She was an excellent seamstress and spent her time making blankets for the poor through the Ladies' Aid.

Survivors:

4 Children:

   Harriett Zipfel (Robert Wiswall)

   Eva (Marvin) Winkeler

   Monica (Michael) Hussey

   Byron Zipfel

7 Grandchildren:

   Brian (Michelle) Zipfel, Nathan Wiswall, Katie (Scott) Schewe, Tyler (Candice) Zipfel, Paul (Julie) Zipfel, Martin Hussey, and Anna Winkeler

5 Step Grandchildren

8 Great-Grandchildren:

   Drew Zipfel, Karissa & Kylie Zipfel, Ilsa, Iris, & Noah Schewe, Eiler & Ellis Zipfel

11 Step Great-Grandchildren

1 Step Great-Great Grandson

Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and Friends

Preceded in death by:  Parents, Husband, 1 Son – Daniel Zipfel, and 2 Sisters – Verna (Harold) Drake & Mildred (Ray) Veile

Funeral Service:

   11:00 am, Saturday, August 16, 2025

   St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ruma, Illinois

   8446 1st Road, Evansville (Ruma), Illinois 62242

Officiating: 

   Rev. Randy Fischer

Interment:

   St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery

   Ruma, Illinois

Visitation:

   Friday– 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

   Pechacek Funeral Homes, Red Bud, Illinois

   Saturday – 10:00 am – 11:00 am

   St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ruma, Illinois

In Lieu of Flowers, please make a donation in Dorothy’s memory to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ruma, Illinois, or Hospice of Southern Illinois.