Dotti Jean Keefer

Dotta (Dotti) Jean Keefer, 79, of Traer, passed away on Sunday, June 1, surrounded by her loving family following a lengthy illness.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, at Overton Funeral Home in Traer. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 6, at the Traer United Methodist Church. A luncheon will take place at the Traer United Methodist Church following the service.

Dotti was born on September 18, 1945, to Loren and Ina (Luethje) Emke. She was raised on the family’s Century Farm in Crystal Township and was active in 4-H, American Legion Auxiliary, and church activities.

She graduated from Garwin High School with the Class of 1963, where she was elected Homecoming Queen. Dotti played on the Garwin High School girls basketball team and was involved in many school activities, including softball, cheerleading, student council, drama, choir, band, newspaper, and yearbook staff.

Dotti married Mark Keefer in 1980, and together they raised four children. She enjoyed being a preacher’s wife, Dotti was involved in church activities and singing in the choir.

Dotti was a Traer small business owner, operating D&T Western Store and a local daycare. She later worked in accounting at GMAC and Hawkeye Community College.

Dotti was a talented seamstress. She took pride in designing and sewing quilts for family and friends to honor special occasions. She also enjoyed gardening, solving Sudoku puzzles, crocheting, and knitting. Dotti was an active and accomplished bowler who also coached the juniors. She enjoyed following Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball and the Indiana Fever.

Her greatest passion was caring for others. Dotti had a talent for making everyone feel very special, she was interested in what people had to say.

Dotti will be missed by her devoted husband of almost 45 years, Mark Keefer; her children, Sheri Sealock of Ankeny, Scott (Jill) Sealock of Prior Lake, MN, Emily (Marty) Funke of Dyersville, and Abby Keefer of Traer; grandchildren, Victoria Keefer, Josephine Keefer, Millie Sealock, Daniel Funke, Jack (Bret) Funke, and Abby (James) Goldsmith; great-granddaughter, Aniyah Keefer; sisters JoAnn (Robert) Jensen of Muscatine and DeeAnn Emke of Miamisburg, OH; her mother-in-law, Kathleen Keefer of Traer and sister-in-law, Mary (Dennis) Emke of Ankeny.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Dennis Emke.

Memorials may be directed to the family.