Dorothy Marie Dallmeyer Utesch

Dorothy Marie Dallmeyer Utesch passed away on August 30, 2019. Dorothy was born on January 30, 1923 on Peabody Street in Brenham, Texas to Lydia and Charles D. Dallmeyer. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham.

She was very actively involved in activities in Brenham High School. After graduating, she attended Blinn College and earned her Associate of Arts Degree. She then attended The University of Texas in Austin receiving her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. She participated in numerous clubs and was an active member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority which she actively supported throughout her life.

On November 23,1946, she married her high school sweetheart, Luther Paul Utesch. The couple moved to Houston where they both worked for Humble Oil & Refining Company (Exxon). Luther accepted a job offer by Dorothy’s father, President of the Brenham Wholesale Grocery Company, and they moved back to Brenham.

Upon her return to Brenham, Dorothy was passionately devoted to giving of herself and her time to numerous civic and family activities. She served as a Girl Scout Leader for 15 years and was honored by the scouts as a “Woman of Distinction for 1999” by the Lone Star Council. She also was very actively involved in serving people at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church through teaching Sunday School, Luther League, and Vacation Bible School. She served on prayer chain, altar guild, and as a Stephen Minister. Lutheran Social Services of the South presented her a plaque for serving on the Development Committee of Kruse Memorial Village.

Many other opportunities to give back to her community followed. As a 60-year member of the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs, Dorothy served in many leadership roles such as heading the building committee for Nancy Carol Roberts Library project, club president, district president, and library board chairman. She was also a 60-year member of the Bluebonnet Garden Club where she served as president, chairman of many committees, and was a member of district and state boards. In 2012, she was named recipient of “Member Award of Honor” by the district. Dorothy served on the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association Board, the Arts Council, and was a life member of the Washington County Historical Society. In 1973, she was named “Outstanding Woman of the Year” by the Brenham Chamber of Commerce. In 2005, she was honored by the Brenham Independent School District as a “Distinguished Alumni”. In 2006, she was inducted into the “Hall of Fame” by the Blinn College Ex-Students Association.

Dorothy and Luther were very devoted to each other and their family, lovingly raising two daughters, Cassandra and Karen. The family enjoyed many activities together especially their family trips. The couple was very generous, loving, and giving to their family. Mamaw loved spending time with her grandchildren, playing games, reading books, and taking them on fun outings. Dorothy and Luther traveled to many countries with their family and good friends and went on numerous cruises. Dorothy and Luther were loyal Texas A & M fans, going to most of the Aggie football games and remained actively involved in alumni activities throughout their lives. Dorothy was a very loving and giving person. She had a love for people and always thought of others before herself. She was dearly loved by many.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, the late Charles D. and Lydia Fuchs Dallmeyer, stepmother Thecla Mueller Dallmeyer, her husband of 65 years, Luther Paul Utesch, and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Elvera Simms Muery and Sam Muery, and Ruth Dallmeyer LaRoche and Paul F. LaRoche, Jr. and many special friends.

In 2014, Dorothy became reacquainted with a former classmate of her late husband, Rowland Ball of San Antonio. They were married on May 30, 2015 and spent many happy years together traveling and enjoying life and their families.

Dorothy is also survived by her two daughters and sons-in- law, Cassandra and Bill Ehlert and Karen and Bruce Boardman, step-daughter Patricia Windom and husband Pat, grandchildren Mary Ehlert, Melissa and Cole Ehlert, Britt and Shayne Benton, Amanda and Matthew Boardman, step-granddaughter Amy Etheridge and husband Joe, and step-granddaughter Lacy Ball. Additional survivors include great-grandchildren Madison, Samuel, and Elijah Boardman, Jake Benton, and step-great-grandchildren Piper and Windom Etheridge, and numerous nieces and nephews. In the last year of Dorothy’s life she had many very special caregivers in her home for which her family is very grateful for the excellent care they provided.

A visitation for family and friends will be on Wednesday, September 4 from 5:30 to 7:00 P.M. at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

There will be a committal service for the immediate family members at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, September 5 at Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham, Texas. Following the committal, a memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday,September 5 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 305 West Third Street, Brenham. Pastor Patricia Dietrich will officiate.

The pallbearers will be Matthew Boardman, Cole Ehlert, Shayne Benton, Joe Etheridge, Kyle Benkendorfer, Daryl Benkendorfer, Carter Benkendorfer, Scott Benkendorfer, and John Utesch.

Everyone is invited to a reception following the service at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brenham, the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library, Hospice Brazos Valley, or your charity of choice.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. Tributes may be shared at www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com.