Dorothy Marie Kotera was born on April 11, 1930, in Dwight, Nebraska to James and Lillian (Pelan) Pavel and passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Wahoo, Nebraska on July 1, 2019 at the age of 89 years, 2 months and 20 days. Dorothy grew up on farm near Dwight where she attended Country School District #73 and later attended Dwight Assumption High School.

On April 18, 1949, Dorothy married Ernest J. Kotera and to this union three children were born. Dorothy worked at the Egg Plant in David City. They lived near Dwight for a short while until 1960 when they moved to Bee. They resided in Bee for 45 years. Dorothy cleaned houses for several families in Seward. Dorothy loved to spend time with her family and grandchildren.  She enjoyed flowers, reading, sewing and embroidering. She loved making oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for her grandchildren. She was a member of St. Wenceslaus Church, Altar Society and choir and the Dwight American Legion Auxiliary. In 2004, they made the move to Seward and she transferred her membership to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ernie (2005); daughter-in-law, Pamela; sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Leonard Niemann; brother and sister-in-law, James B. and Leona Pavel.

Survivors cherishing her memory include her children, Kenneth and LuJane Kotera, Brainard and their sons, Neil Kotera, Gretna and Kurtis (Liz) Kotera, Milford; Marlene and Kenrick Morgan, Seward and their children, Ryan (Amy) Morgan, San Francisco, California, Eric (Rachelle) Morgan, Brainard, Craig Morgan and fiance, Ashlie Zima, Valley, Nebraska; Les Kotera, Wahoo and children, Alex Kotera and fiance, Kate McDermott, Sunrise Beach, Missouri, Melissa Kotera, Omaha; eight great-grandchildren: Shelby, Nathan, Zane and Cole Miller, Lily and Abby Morgan, Avery and Grayson Kotera; sister-in-law, Helen Eller; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.