Dorothy Rachel Bricker, 89, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at the Elwood Care Center in Elwood, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on January 26, 1935, in Paxton, Nebraska to Wilhelm and Olinda (Heinrich) Langmacher. She attended Paxton Public Schools and graduated from Paxton High School with the class of 1953. She transitioned to Nebraska State Teacher's College at Kearney where she earned her degree in teaching. Dorothy was united in marriage to the love of her life, Vance Bricker on October 9, 1955, at the Lutheran Church in Paxton, Nebraska. Six children were blessed to this union: Vance, Alan, Bruce, Laurie, Shelly and Kevin.
Dorothy dedicated many years teaching pre-school children in Ogallala and Lexington. She worked in the Lexington Public Schools as well, working for the special education department and the library. She retired from Lexington Public Schools once she turned 62. Dorothy was a faithful member of the Grace Lutheran Church. She was known to be a meticulous seamstress, with her specialty being dresses and jackets. Dorothy and Vance spent twenty-two years wintering in Arizona where they made many lifelong friends and enjoyed dancing as well as creating beautiful jewelry out of fixed glass. She enjoyed spending her afternoons outdoors, doing some yard work or maintaining her garden. She also enjoyed baking her favorite cinnamon rolls for her kids and canning garden staples.
Those left to cherish her legacy are her children, Vance Ryan Bricker of Lexington, Alan (Theress) Bricker of Kearney, Bruce (Betty) Bricker of Holdrege, Laurie (Steve) Hamit of Greeley, Colorado, Shelly (Jack) Pietenpol of Lincoln and Kevin (Anita) Bricker of Ashland; grandchildren, Amber Herrington, Kelli Riley, Aspen Workman, Kraig Hamit, Kyle Hamit, Adam Neil, Devin Rausch, Halie Bricker, Chelsie Stowe-Rains, Eli Bricker, Gretchen Bricker, and Sophie Bricker; great-grandchildren, Lane, Lawson, Ledger, Carter, Austin, Lucas, Lainey, Bricker, Cavanaugh, Cora, Ellie and one on the way; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends.
Besides her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Vance Bricker, her brother, Don Langmacher and grandson, Adam Neil.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, July 29, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Lexington with Pastor John Strackbein, officiating. The service will be livestreamed via the Grace Lutheran Church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GraceLex/ or Grace Lutheran Church YouTube.
A Memorial Book Signing will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2024, with family receiving guests from 5-7 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.
A Private Graveside Service will be held prior to the service at Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are kindly suggested to the Lexington Public Library or to Grace Lutheran Church in Lexington.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com