Dorothy Ann Gobel

Dorothy Ann (Vornhagen) Gobel age 87, of Yankton, South Dakota died on September 20, 2025 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall, South Dakota from complications of a massive stroke.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM, on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton, NE with Reverend Dave Liewer officiating. The Mass will be live-streamed and can be viewed at www.facebook.com/WintzRay. Burial will be in the St. Rose Catholic Cemetery in Crofton. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, on Friday, September 26, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton with a rosary and vigil service at 7:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton.

Dorothy was born on April 9, 1938, in Fordyce, NE, to Edward and Rose (Kuchta) Vornhagen. She went on to attend country school in Menominee, NE, through the 8th grade. She attended high school at Mount Marty High School and Yankton High School. She graduated from Yankton High School in 1956. Dorothy attended Collins Business College for one year after she graduated from high school. Dorothy worked at the Majestic Gardens and Presto Cafe in Yankton until she met Jim Gobel on December 19, 1958, at Majestic Gardens. On September 1, 1959, Dorothy and Jim were married at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Menominee, NE. To this union, one daughter, Brenda, was born in 1960.

Dorothy worked at the Red Owl Grocery Store until 1964, when they moved first to Pittsburgh, CA, and later to Antioch, CA. Dorothy was a stay-at-home mom while Jim worked. Dorothy kept busy with household chores, sewing, and getting Brenda to and from school. In 1969, Dorothy, Jim, and Brenda moved back to Nebraska. In 1974, they moved to Pierce, NE, where Jim began driving truck for a local grain hauler. Jim became an owner-operator in 1976 until he passed away in 1989. Dorothy worked a variety of part-time jobs while in Pierce. In 1980, they moved to Crofton, NE, and Dorothy began doing seasonal work for Gurney Seed and Nursery, usually in the spring until planting season was finished. In the summer, she planted a large garden and canned or froze lots of garden produce for her family. In 1992, Dorothy moved to Yankton and began working at the SD Human Services Center in Yankton. She semi-retired in 2000 at age 62 and fully retired in 2003 at age 65.

After she retired, she stayed busy by belonging to The Center in Yankton, participating in a Wii Bowling League, and volunteering wherever she was needed. She made many friends at The Center. Dorothy also enjoyed reading, playing bingo, genealogy, and traveling with Jim in the truck when she was able to. During her lifetime, Dorothy traveled to most of the lower 48 states. She never made it to Alaska or Hawaii. Dorothy was a pet lover. She always had a dog or cat on her lap or one sleeping with her in bed.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Brenda of Yankton; sister, Arlene Nieman of Coleridge, NE; sisters-in-law, Donna Vornhagen of Yankton, Dorothy Peterson of Sheldon, IA, and Edith Rhode of Randolph, NE; aunt, Betty Vornhagen of Brentwood, CA; and nieces, nephews, cousins and several grand pets.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; parents, Edward and Rose Vornhagen; in-laws, Charles and Lillian Burrus and Earl and Myrtle Gobel; brothers, Ralph and Jerry Vornhagen; sisters-in-law, Cindy Vornhagen, Betty Konken, Myra Gronlund and Lois Anderson; brothers-in-law, Merle Rhode, Clarence Konken, Art Peterson and Donald Gronlund; nieces, Dawn Vornhagen and Rena Vornhagen; nephews, Clyde Nieman and Ty Vornhagen; aunts, uncles and cousins.

Brenda would like to thank all the staff of the Good Samaritan Center in Tyndall for the excellent care provided to mom the last 15 months. She loved and spoke highly of all of you! She will be missed!