Dorothy L. Papenberg's Obituary
Dorothy L. Papenberg, 95 years of Red Bud, IL, passed away on March 22, 2025 at Oak Hill Care Center, Waterloo, IL. She was born October 29, 1929 in Red Bud, IL.
Dorothy attended Trinity Lutheran Elementary School in Prairie, followed by Red Bud Community High School, Class of 1947. She enjoyed attending all of her class reunions over the years. On October 28, 1950, she married Harold Papenberg at Trinity Lutheran in Prairie. Dorothy worked for Judge A.D. Riess, in private practice from 1947-1961. She then went on to work for the Monroe-Randolph Bi-County Health Department until her retirement in 2009. Throughout her life, Dorothy was involved in numerous organizations. She was a Charter Member of St. John's Lutheran Evening Guild. She helped organize the Red Bud Nite Unit of Randolph County Home Extension, hosting many events throughout the years. In her retirement, she was a member of the Red Bud Hospital Senior Circle. She assembled Braille bibles and sewed quilts for missions. Dorothy was devoted to attending her weekly bible studies and church. She enjoyed spending time gardening and tending to her yard. Above all else, family was her true passion and she loved her time spent with her children and grandchildren.
Surviving are her Daughter, Karen (Franklin) McCann of Columbia, IL; Son, Steven (Janet) Papenberg of Red Bud, IL; Grandchildren, Samantha (Fiancé Ethan Hendricks) McCann, Jessica McCann, Austin McCann, Ryker Papenberg and Karys Papenberg, along with other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her Husband, Harold Papenberg; Parents, Oscar and Erna (nee Harms) Stellhorn; Brother, Edgar Stellhorn and Sister-in-Law, Bernadine Stellhorn.
Visitation will be Friday, April 4, 2025, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, at Leesman Funeral Home, Red Bud, IL, and Saturday, April 5, 2025, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Red Bud, IL. Services will be held 2:00 pm, Saturday April 5, 2025, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Red Bud, IL, with Pastor Nebel and Pastor Winkelman officiating. Interment will follow in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church or Trinity Lutheran Church in Prairie.
For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were handled by Leesman Funeral Home.
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