Dorothy “Dode” Nottleman

Dorothy Maxine (Tippery) Nottleman, 97, of Decatur, NE, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at her home in Decatur, surrounded by her family. The visitation will be held on Monday, June 29, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Decatur. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Decatur. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Decatur. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home.

Dorothy, known as Dode by her family and friends, was born in Decatur, NE, on September 29, 1928, the daughter of John and Mabel (Rhodus) Tippery. She attended school in Decatur through the 6th grade, before graduating from Macy High School with her G.E.D. Dode was united in marriage to Marvin Nottleman on January 23, 1946, at the Dakota County, Nebraska Courthouse. To this union, one son, Donald “Pook”, was born in 1949. The couple moved to a farm north of Macy, where Dode raised chickens to pay her way through Wayne State College, earning her Bachelor of Education.

Dode’s first teaching job was at a one-room schoolhouse on Highway 77, where you turn to go to Pook’s Flea Market. The house is still there. She spent most of her teaching career at Macy Public Schools in Macy, NE, where she taught a variety of subjects, including mathematics. She taught for 32 years, 28 of those in Macy, and retired early to care for her mother, Mabel. Mabel was a cook at the lunchroom at Macy Public Schools so she and Dode saw each other every day at work.

Dode was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Nebraska State Education Association, and the National Education Association. She was awarded the Outstanding Service Award from the Education Association. She loved teaching and the daily challenge it provided.

Dode’s second career was working on the farm with Marvin and Pook. She made lunches for the farmers and drove them to and from the fields with numerous runs to Walthill or Pender for errands. During the summer, she and Marvin would take their grandkids, Clay and Cary, camping in their motorhome. Some of the trips included California, Missouri, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas/Mexico, and Wyoming. Friends or relatives were often invited along. Dode would drop Clay and Cary near Macy and make them walk home, collecting cans alongside the highway to recycle to earn money for these trips!

Dode and Marvin moved to Walthill, NE, in 1983. As “city folks,” they spent time at the coffee shop to catch up on the “news.” Their street in Walthill was always filled with kids on bikes, running through the sprinkler with popsicles in hand and lots of chores. In retirement, Dode and Marvin spent their winters in Brownsville, TX.

In the summer of 1991, Dode, Clay, and Cary embarked on a European tour riding the train and sleeping in hostels in Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. It was the trip of a lifetime!

Dode and Marvin moved to Decatur in 1995. Marvin passed away in 1996, and Dode remained in her home entertaining almost daily visitors and relatives over the years. She was always quick to give her advice or opinion and share the latest “news.” She was a force to be reckoned with and was greatly loved and admired.

Dode loved her yard, her flowers, and her garden. Besides camping and fishing, Dode and Marvin were avid square dancers, and they made a lot of friends through their hobbies. Dorothy loved canning pickles in the summer, making popcorn balls at Halloween, and making fudge and cookies during Christmas. She also loved quilting and sewing. She loved making an angel food cake for all of her grandchildren for their birthdays. She lived every day for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Dorothy is survived by her grandson, Clayton Nottleman of Provincetown, MA; granddaughter, Cary Nottleman of Hastings, NE; great-grandchildren, Crystal, Natalia, and Bobbie; and three great-great-grandchildren, Carson, Kamden, and Berklie; a niece, Dawn Bousquet, who was like a daughter to her; and a nephew, Greg Jump, who was like a son to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marvin Nottleman; son, Donald Nottleman; sister, Mary Ellen (Franklin); brothers, Don, Earl, Eldon, Jack, Jim, Cliff (Lois), and Dick (Arleen).

The family acknowledges Pastor Brion Tolzman for visiting Dode in her home, praying with her, and giving her communion. They are also grateful for the enormous amount of love and support given to Dode by Greg and Amy Jump, Heather Shatto, and St. Croix Hospice of Fremont. Donations can be made to St. Croix Hospice of Fremont, NE.