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William Dochterman
WILLIAM "BILL" PAUL DOCHTERMAN
Cedar Rapids
A hard fall ended his life
at age 97 on Dec. 23, 2016.
William "Bill" Paul Dochterman was born Nov. 13, 1919, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to parents William George and Bernita (Wilson) Dochterman. His father later married Ester Ludwig, who raised him. He graduated from Wilson High School in 1937, and then married the one woman in his life, Myra Caroline Malottki, on June 10, 1939. They started their life together farming around Lowden, Iowa. Several years later they bought a farm in the area of Central City, where they raised their five children.
Bill also worked for Wilson & Co. meatpacking in Cedar Rapids and after retiring from there, the couple moved south to warmer weather in Horseshoe Bend, Ark., where they built a house at the edge of a small lake. An attached greenhouse provided a place where Bill could pursue his passion of potting and growing many different flowers, vegetables and plants. Bill and Myra also traveled to many places around the United States, as well as to Ireland. They enjoyed dancing, playing cards and being active in the church doing the things retired life brings. Bill sang in the church choir, enjoyed fishing, reading, being outdoors and in retirement, took a trip to China.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Myra; his brother, Roy Dochterman; and three half brothers. He was married to his wife for 73 years.
He is survived by three daughters, Rose Ann Rich of Monticello, Bernieta May Wells and husband Luke of Anamosa and Eevlyn Juil Semerad and husband Dennis of Quincy, Ill.; and two sons, William Bruce Dochterman and wife Joanne of Swisher and Larry August Dochterman and wife Barbara of Marengo, Ill. He also is survived by 14 grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren, as well as three half brothers and two half sisters.
Funeral services: 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Memorials may be given to The Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 508 Profession Dr., Horseshoe Bend, Ark. 72512-3733.
Please share a memory of Bill at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
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