Dorothy May Henning Thews, 86, Culver, died Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Culver surrounded by her five children.

Dorothy was born Nov. 22, 1928, in Culver to Harry and Rubie Lasch Henning.  She graduated from Culver High School in 1946 and from Christian College, Columbia, Mo., in 1948. On Sept. 20, 1947, she married Roger I. Thews who preceded her in death on May 24, 1977.

She worked as a secretary at Culver Military Academy in the Admissions Office. She was an executive secretary for the Wickes Corporation in Argos. She served as the Park Superintendent for the Culver Town Park. She retired from Culver Girls Academy as a Residence Director for Argonne Tower and then Benson Hall.

She was a member of Grace United Church of Christ, Order of the Eastern Star, and Maxinkuckee Junior Women’s Club. Dorothy was an avid reader and had a great appreciation for sports and music. She participated in sports in college
and was a loyal fan to the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Bulls.

She loved her family above all else and delighted in watching her children and grandchildren perform in sports and musical events. She had a beautiful singing voice and enjoyed performing solos and in ensembles. She also sang in the church choir and for special occasions. From a young age, she traveled with her family by train and car throughout the United States.

Survivors include her five children: Judith (Eric) Tipton, Fort Wayne, Susan (Dennis) Eller of Rochester, Va., (Ronald) Cole, Culver, Barbara (Larry) Rans, Culver, and Roger (Susan) Thews, Jr., Culver; 11 grandchildren: Stacy Tipton, Fort Wayne, Brett Tipton, Indianapolis, Sarah (Adam) Zink, Rochester, Andrew Eller, Westerville, Ohio, Maija Cole, Culver, Alexander Cole, Culver, Julie Rans (James) Vicsik, Elkhart, Benjamin (Erin) Rans, Elkhart, Michael (Tiffany) Dees, St. Louis, Mo., Emily (Anthony) Baldridge, Hudson, Ohio, and Roger Thews III of Oklahoma City, Okla.; six great-grandchildren: Brayden Zink, Camden Zink, Ava Robertson, Lanie Cooper-Rans, Reginald Rans, and Ryder Rans; and six nieces and nephews: Thomas Curtis, David Curtis, Lindon Curtis, Colleen
Curtis (Peter) Grozdanovski, James Thews, and Jan (Don) Miller.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Roger I. Thews, Sr; her parents: Henry and Rubie Henning; daughter: Jacqueline Ann Thews; sister: Mildred Henning Curtis; and nephew: Stanley Curtis.

A time of visitation with Dorothy’s family will be held Thursday, Feb. 26, at Grace United Church of Christ in Culver from 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 7 p.m. Burial will be at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Culver Grace United Church of Christ or the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org or a charitable organization of donor’s choice.