Former New Bremen resident Dorothy A. Koeper, 81, died at 9:42 p.m. Feb. 9, 2009, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.

She was born Nov. 13, 1927, in Mercer County, to Louis and Viola Fricke Dicke. On Feb. 23, 1946, she married Richard Koeper, who died June 10, 1995.

Surviving are a son, Jerry (Barb), New Bremen; two brothers, Earl (Edna) Dicke and Ed (Shirley) Dicke, all of New Bremen; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was a homemaker and helped on the family farm. She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ and the American Legion Auxiliary, both in New Bremen. She played in a number of dance bands in the area for more than 50 years.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home, New Bremen, the Rev. Stephen Wills officiating. Burial is at the German Protestant Cemetery, New Bremen.

Calling is 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to the church memorial fund or the New Bremen Emergency Squad.