DOROTHY RUTH SCHUTTE, 92, of Ogallala, NE, passed away Monday, March 28, 2022 at the Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala.
Dorothy was born January 8, 1930, in Bayard, Nebraska, to George and Katherine (Greeb) Brill. She was baptized in the Lutheran church in Scottsbluff, NE.
In 1939, the family moved to Ogallala, NE. She was confirmed in the St. Paul's Lutheran Church and attended Ogallala High school with the class of '47.
She married Cecil Wilkinson of Grant, NE. They had one child, Kenneth. In 1952, she moved to Lakewood, CA, to work, and in July of 1953, she married Carl A. Plunkett. They had two sons, Edward and Scott. She helped her husband in the trucking and contracting business, and in 1971 at the age of 41, she went to cosmetology school. She had her beauty shop for 17 years. She also became an accomplished oil painter and antique collector.
In 1988, she and Carl retired and moved back to Ogallala. In 1991, she renewed her interest in antiques and purchased The Antique Mall in Ogallala. She sold the mall and opened The Antique House in downtown Ogallala.
In 1994, she married John Schutte, and they remained in the antique business until October of 2007. Dorothy was well known for her knowledge of antiques and did some appraisal work, and worked at buying and selling on the internet. She had many friends in California as well as Nebraska.
She was known as Aunt Dorothy to many younger people that were associated with her through her children or former families, nieces, and nephews.
She is survived by her sons, Edward Plunkett and Kenneth (Diane) Wilkinson; sister, Irene Nitzel; the Schutte children; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, George and Katherine; son, Scott; husbands, Cecil Wilkinson, Carl Plunkett, and John Schutte; niece, Janet Warner; and two brothers, Edward and Jim Brill.
A memorial has been established in Dorothy's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com .
Funeral services will be Friday, April 8, 2022, at 2:30 pm at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home Chapel in Ogallala, with Pastor Curtis Tschetter officiating. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery following the service.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.