Dorothy Jeanette Imhoff, age 95, of Blackwater, passed away on Monday, December 9, 2024, at the University of Missouri Hospital surrounded by her loved ones. She was born in Boonville, Missouri on October 15, 1929, the daughter of Herman and Bertha (Widel) Bonen.
Dorothy attended St. Martins Catholic School, boarding with the nuns throughout the week. She graduated from Pilot Grove High School. She was united in marriage to John Joseph Imhoff on May 4, 1948, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Martinsville. They were married over 69 years at the time of his passing in 2017. They made a life together in Blackwater, Missouri raising 4 children on their family farm.
Dorothy was a member of S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Boonville. She enjoyed gardening, canning and sewing, sharing her talents with anyone who wanted to learn. She stayed on the farm after her husband, Johnny, passed away, and became an independent lady who still drove and mowed her own yard up until she got sick with the shingles in May, which eventually lead to her death. She shared a story with her grandchildren who sat by her bedside telling them she didn’t always drive. Someone asked her how she learned to drive, and her answer was “in the ditches”, without breaking a smile! She was a great cook, and loved baking cookies and making birthday cakes for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mostly her whole life was about her family and spending time with them. In October while staying at Katy Manor Nursing Home in Pilot Grove, we honored and surprised her with a big 95th birthday. We made her homemade ice cream and cake, her favorite. Some of her great-grandchildren brought her cards and drawings on Grandparents Day, since she couldn’t attend this year. In her last days, she told the nurses she would give a million dollars for a drink of water. Well, the last day she got water, but the nurses didn’t see the million dollars!
Dorothy is survived by her children: Norbert (Marcia) Imhoff of Blackwater, Roger (Stephanie) Imhoff of Pilot Grove, John (Bev) Imhoff of Blackwater, Peggy (Scotty) Fenical of Boonville; sister Judy Acton (Jim) of Springfield; grandchildren: Alicia (Greg) Haslag, Justin (Karyn) Fenical, Eric (Cindy) Imhoff, Nicholas (Traci) Imhoff, Kelsey (Ducky) Fenical, Adam (Amy) Imhoff, Travis (Kayla) Fenical, Efrem Imhoff, Jacob Imhoff; many other nieces, nephews, cousins and family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Bertha Bonen; husband John Imhoff; siblings: Mary Jane Fahrendorf, Charles Bonen, Kenny Bonen, Gerald Bonen, Ronald Bonen; grandsons: Kyle Imhoff, Aaron Imhoff.
The visitation and funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at the S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. with the recitation of the rosary to begin at 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 am. Interment will follow services at S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are appreciated to S. S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Howard Funeral Home, 1397 Ashley Rd., Boonville, Mo 65233 (660) 882-3381. Condolences can be made to the family at www.howardfh.com.