Dorthea (Jessen) Yeutter

Dorthea Jessen Yeutter, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2017, at Lexington Regional Health Center. She and her identical twin, Johanne, were born September 29, 1920, to Boy Hinrich and Ane Kirstine (Kragh) Jessen at the family’s farmhouse in Froslev, Denmark. At age 6, she emigrated with her family, which included 5 children ages 6 and under, from Denmark to Cozad, NE. The family moved many times in the Cozad and Lexington area, until they purchased a farm on the edge of town, north of Lexington. She graduated from Lexington High School, earning a Regents scholarship. Dorthea graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Nursing (Omaha) in 1940 as a registered nurse. After graduating, she worked at the University hospital for 10 months, then at Mead Ordinance Plant (where munitions were made for the war) performing medical tests on workers for 18 months. She then worked at the Lexington hospital on N. Washington in the early 1940’s, giving the first penicillin shot in Dawson County, and helping take care of her new 11th sibling at his birth. Patients were transported to surgery by nurses pulling a rope to operate the elevator. There was one refrigerator in the basement. One of Dorthea’s patients, Dora Timm Yeutter, liked Dorthea so much, she decided she wanted her in the family. After some “arranged” hospital visits and dating (after harvest), Dorthea married Clarence Yeutter on January 12, 1945. They lived on Clarence’s family farm near Eustis, raising four daughters. In 1968, Dorthea took a refresher nursing course at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, then worked part-time in the Cozad Hospital for seven years. Dorthea and Clarence retired to Lexington in 1977. The Berean Church was a large part of Dorthea and Clarence’s life. They began attending when the church met in a house. Dorthea served as a Sunday School teacher, committee member for picking out the stained glass windows when the church was built, and numerous women’s group projects. She also hosted many missionaries when they were home on furlough, and helped sew 100% cotton nurse’s uniforms for Betty Lindquist, so she could survive the heat in the Congo, where she served with her family for years. Dorthea joined Toastmistress in Cozad, where she enjoyed public speaking. She and Clarence also enjoyed traveling to visit family, as well as Europe, the Holy Land, the Bahamas, Alaska, and the Caribbean, along with extensive travel in the United States. Dorthea really enjoyed cooking and having family, friends, and those in ministry at their home. After Clarence went to the care home, Dorthea lived with her daughter, Marcia, for nine years. Dorthea spent the last two and a half years at the Bertrand Nursing Home, where she received excellent care, and had weekly “parties at the care home” with family. Survivors include daughters, Marcia Maloley of Lexington, Beverly Maloley of Lexington, Brenda Ferdig of Thornton, Colorado, and Deborah and husband Randy Woodside of Lexington. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Dan Maloley and wife Nicole and children Guy and Trey Farmer of Eustis, Ben Maloley and children Sam and Sadie Jo of Bertrand, Candace and husband Tom Holtzen and children Casper, Peter, Christian, and Thea of Wisconsin, Anthony Maloley Jr. of Omaha, Tommy Maloley and wife Emily of Omaha, Rich Ferdig and wife Andrea of Grand Junction, Colorado, Cliff Ferdig and wife Sarah and children Nathan, Drew, and Emma of Morrison, Colo., Michelle Ferdig Hill and children Henry and Luke of Henderson, Colo., Joe Ferdig and wife Kelly and children Jacob and Katie of Thornton, Colo., Ryan Woodside of Lincoln. Siblings: Marie Johnson of Lincoln, Dagny (Eric) Duus of Minnesota, Helga (Verlan) Hanson of Blair, Henry Jessen of Sidney, Arne (Meryl) Jessen of Minnesota, Elna (Merle) Knuth of Iowa, Carl (Marilyn) Jessen of Michigan, and H.E. “Pete” (Connie) Jessen of Colorado. Dorthea was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clarence Yeutter, sons-in-law - Esa Maloley, Anthony Maloley, and Richard Ferdig, siblings and spouses - Johanne and Gerald Olsen, Quentin Johnson, Nis and Irene Jessen, Joyce (Mrs. Henry) Jessen, Alfred Jessen, and Beverley (Mrs. Carl) Jessen. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at Berean Bible Church in Lexington with Mr. George Cheek officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. Visitation will be held Monday, May 22, 2017, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the Berean Bible Church or Maranatha Bible Camp next Maxwell, Nebraska. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.