Dorothy Jean Zabel, 91, of rural Westmoreland, Kansas, died Sunday, November 26, 2023, at the Onaga Community Hospital. She was a life-long resident of the community.
Dorothy was born on January 17, 1932, in rural Onaga, the daughter of Walter F. and Hazel (Nightingale) Rollenhagen. She attended local grade school and graduated in 1950 from Westmoreland High School.
Dorothy married Eldon Carl Zabel in Wamego, Kansas, on January 20, 1951. He preceded her in death on September 6, 2016.
Dorothy was a dairy farmer. She and Eldon, side by side, owned and operated their family dairy operation northeast of Westmoreland. She also worked in the Pottawatomie County Clerk’s Office for over 15 years.
Dorothy loved her farm life, especially all the animals. She loved her cats and dogs, particularly collie dogs, and called each of her cows by name. She enjoyed growing a large garden and watching sports. She was a fan of Kansas State football and the Kansas City Chiefs, she also enjoyed the Kansas City Royals baseball games. Dorothy was a member of the Dairy Farmers of America (formerly Mid-American Dairymen) and St. Luke Lutheran Church.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Doug Zabel, Onaga, Allan Zabel and Mina Grutzmacher (Lance), both of Westmoreland; her grandchildren, Nicole Duggan (Ron), Lisa DeWeese (Ryan), Mitchel Grutzmacher (Heather), Gina Roberts (Ian), Marshal Zabel (Kelsey), Jarod Zabel (Sheila), and Audra Pendleton (Kenny), her sister Mary Mayer, Westmoreland; and nineteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her grandson, Tyler Zabel, her great-granddaughters, Mariah Walter, and Emma Grutzmacher, and her brothers, Donald Rollenhagen and Clinton Rollenhagen.