1934-2025
Dorothy M. Keplinger, 90, of Grenola, Kansas, passed away, Wednesday evening, February 26, 2025 at Winfield Rest Haven.
Dorothy May Hawley was born May 8, 1934 on her family’s farm one mile east of Cambridge, to Gladys Laura Logsdon and Pearl Washington Hawley. She was the second of four children and the only daughter. She attended first grade at the one-room Windsor School and completed her education in Cambridge, graduating in 1952 as Valedictorian. She loved playing basketball and became a fan of KU basketball while still in school.
She was a high school sophomore when she met her future husband Dean Keplinger. They were married in Cambridge Presbyterian Church September 7, 1952.
The newlyweds lived in Colorado Springs and Laramie, Wyoming, and returned to Kansas in 1954. They were living on the MK&O Ranch when Curtis was born but soon moved to the home place south of Grenola. Daughters, Kay and Rebecca completed the family.
In 1964, Dorothy decided to attend college to become a mathematics teacher, graduating in 1968 from what was then called the Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia. She taught at Dexter from 1968 to 1973, teaching junior and senior high math and coaching all the girls’ sports. During this time, she attended summer school to earn a Master’s degree in Mathematics. She next spent two years teaching at Cedar Vale, then began teaching at Central of Burden, retiring in 1996. Her teaching philosophy was simple: she wanted her students to learn math. She was up late most nights grading papers so they could be handed back the next day.
Dean and Dorothy were members of Grenola Christian Church and served faithfully throughout their lives. She hosted a ladies Bible study in her home for a number of years. When Dean became a Gideon, Dorothy became active in the Ladies Auxiliary. They served as foster parents throughout the 1980’s. They fostered several children including Bill Lawson, who lived with them through high school.
Dorothy was interested in history. She co-founded the Grenola Historical Society and Museum, and researched family genealogy. She enjoyed cowboy poetry and wrote several poems, all inspired by her husband. When her grandchildren began arriving, they were able to share in museum experiences and accompany her to archeological digs around Kansas. The grandchildren also prompted her to add a new skill of decorating birthday cakes.
Dean and Dorothy took many bus tours and also visited Australia and New Zealand. At the time of Dean’s death in 2015, they had visited 49 of the 50 states. In 2018, Dorothy was able to travel with her daughters and granddaughters and one son-in-law to visit her 50th state, Hawaii.
She is survived by son Curtis Keplinger and wife, Sharon of Grenola; daughter Kay Kelly and husband, Lynn of Grenola; daughter Rebecca Holt and husband, Keith of Olathe; her seven grandchildren, Chris Kelly and wife, Heather; Daniel Kelly and wife, Rachel; Anne Ball and husband, Tyler; Wesley Keplinger and wife, Anna; Tresse Craft and husband, Thomas; Conrad Holt; Carson Holt; 13 great grandchildren; brother Raymond of Coffeyville; and sister-in-law Joan Hawley of Cambridge.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dean, brother Ellis and his wife, Sophia, brother Carl, and a sister-in-law Phyllis Hawley.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, March 7, 2025, at the Grenola Christian Church. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Grenola. A visitation is scheduled at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield on Thursday from 4 to 7 P.M. The family will greet visitors from 4 to 6 that evening.
Memorials have been established in Dorothy’s name for the Grenola Christian Church and for Grenola Historical Society. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.
