Dorothy O. Law

May 3, 1925 - March 25, 2018

Dorothy O. Law, 92, of Wallace, NE, died Sunday, March 25, 2018, at CHI St Francis Hospital in Grand Island, NE. Dorothy was born May 3, 1925, to Julius and Edith Teichert in Pingree, ID. The family moved to Cokeville, WY when she was 8, then to Stapleton, NE, where she attended high school her senior year, graduating when she was 16. Dorothy received her Bachelor's degree from Nebraska State Teachers College in Kearney. She took graduate courses through Northwestern College of Music in Chicago, IL, obtained her Master's in Fine Arts from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and pursued her doctoral degree in Music through the University of Wyoming. During that time, she taught all grades in music and band in Big Springs, NE and Newcastle, WY. Dorothy met Davis Law while attending school in Lincoln, and they married August 18, 1951. Six children were born to this union. They lived in Upton, WY, and Callaway, Thedford and Madrid, NE. In 1961, they moved to Ellendale, ND where both taught for many years at the University of North Dakota-Ellendale Branch. In 1971, they moved to Williston, ND, where they taught at the University of North Dakota-Williston. Upon retiring, they moved to the Law family farm in Elsie, NE. From the time she was a little girl, Dorothy loved music. She learned to play the piano and then the flute. In addition to teaching music to students from kindergarten through college, she sang in church and community choirs, directed children's choirs, and played the organ in many of the churches she attended. Dorothy performed in and served as the musical director for many musicals. She shared her love for music with her children and grandchildren. She introduced them to many genres including jazz, classical, Broadway musicals, and everything else but twangy country music. Dorothy was very active in many social, professional, and church organizations. These include Eastern Star, American Legion, and women's fellowship groups. She enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, and traveling, including the many cruises she took with family. She loved her family unconditionally and was a blessing and an inspiration to her husband and children. Her faith was the foundation for her gracious and loving nature. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Davis; her parents; and one sister, Judith Gewecke. Dorothy is survived by her sister, Bertha Marie Fox of Chadron; six children: Kenna Bahr (Jeff), of Grand Island, Joseph (Wendy) of Grand Island, Kathleen of Blackfoot, ID, Dianne Harms (James) of Elsie, Douglas (Wendi) of Omaha, Kristine Coppersmith (Larry) of Wallace; sixteen grandchildren: Benjamin Bahr (Anne), Bryan Bahr, Brenna Bahr, JD Law (Melissa), Troy Law, Melita Law, Stephanie Harms, Ashley Blake (Austin), Angela Harms, Joshua Harms, and Jeffrey Harms (Emma), Alexandra Black (Steve); Cassie Martin (Blake), Andy Coppersmith (Stacy), Noah Coppersmith, Eden Coppersmith; and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends and former students whose lives were enriched by knowing her. A memorial has been established in Dorothy's memory for later designation. Online condolences can be sent to bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live for those unable to attend. Services will be Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 11:00am CT at the Wallace Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Wallace Morning View Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, March 30, 2018 from 1:00pm to 7:00pm MT at Bullock-Long Funeral Home. Bullock-Long Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.