Dorothy Grace Kienker

Dorothy Grace (Williams) Kienker, 97, of Omaha, formerly of Central City and Grand Island, passed away on August 29th, 2026 surrounded by her loving family.

Visitation will be Friday, September 25, from 5-7pm at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, September 26, 2026 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Grand Island. Graveside service at Grand Island Cemetery will follow the service. A luncheon will be served at the church following the burial.

Dorothy was born July 18, 1929 on the Williams family farm in Ainsworth, Nebraska to Harvey and Olive (Jamison) Williams. She grew up on the farm and attended country school. She moved to town to attend Ainsworth High School, graduating in 1948. Upon graduation, Dorothy attended college at Chadron State College, graduating with a two year teaching certificate in 1949. She began her teaching career, teaching kindergarten at Garden County Schools in Oshkosh, Nebraska. It is there where she met her husband, Alton Kienker. After two years with Garden County Schools, Dorothy moved to Columbus and then she taught briefly at Howells. In 1952, Dorothy moved to Grand Island where she taught at Jefferson Elementary for one year and Dodge Elementary for three years.

Dorothy and Alton were married on April 17, 1955 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Grand Island where they continued to make their home together for the next 40 years.

Dorothy left teaching to stay home with her four children while they were young and she was a substitute teacher for Grand Island Public Schools for six years. In 1974, Dorothy attended Kearney State College to receive the required credits for a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, graduating in December of 1975. Upon her graduation, she taught middle school math, social studies, art, and computers for Chapman Public Schools. During her 18 years at Chapman, Dorothy coached middle school volleyball and sponsored the cheerleaders. She was also president of the Chapman Education Association. Dorothy retired from teaching in 1994.

Dorothy has been a longtime member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and has been involved in the church in a variety of ways. She was president of the women’s circle, taught Vacation Bible School, participated in Bible study, sang in the choir, as well as serving on several church committees. In addition, Dorothy was involved in a number of community organizations such as the League of Women Voters, babysitting the babies for Grand Island High School students, and involved with the boys’ and girls’ scouts. Dorothy was also a member of the Liederkranz, the Platt-Deutsche Society, the Nebraska Cornhusker Touchdown Club, and a lifetime member of the Nebraska State Education Association.

Dorothy and Al enjoyed traveling together. Her favorite destinations were Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, and Nantucket Island. After her husband passed away on March 17, 1996, Dorothy moved to Omaha, living there until 2003 after which she moved to Central City. Dorothy moved back to Omaha in 2018 to Aksarben Independent Living Facility where she lived for almost 8 years. Dorothy enjoyed reading, drawing, painting, bowling, and dancing; most of all she loved spending time with her family.

Dorothy is survived by son, Mike (Shelly Fields) Kienker of Morrison, CO; daughters Dr. Karen Meyer Nitzschke (Kevin Nitzschke) of Omaha, NE; Judy (Jim) Benner of Central City, NE; Marilyn (Mike) Hansen of Omaha, NE; ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Her ten grandchildren are Dan (Kelli) Kienker of Littleton, CO; Dana Kienker of Denver, CO; Alan Kienker of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Chad (Lisa) Benner of Omaha, NE; Kristen (Kyle) Thomas of Aurora, NE; Steven Hansen of Plattsmouth, NE; Michelle (Gage) Parsons of Omaha, NE; Katie (Dustin) Hastings of Hastings, NE; Stephanie (Micah) Waskowiak of Blair, NE; and Will Nitzschke of Omaha, NE.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Alton Kienker; three brothers, Dean Williams, Bud Williams, and Bill Williams, and four sisters Doris Wetzel, Bonnie Pelc, Helen Eggert, and Mardell Graff.

Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island is in charge of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for a memorial fund to be designated at a later date.