Nancy Lorraine (Toepfer) Dowler

(Nancy) Lorraine Dowler was born to Franklin and Nancy Toepfer on October 31, 1930 in Blackwell, Oklahoma. She died at the age of 91 years, 5 months on March 26, 2022 at Lee House in Eldon, Missouri.

Lorraine was the second of three children. After graduating from Wewoka (OK) High School, she attended Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg, Missouri. She married John R. Dowler on August 5, 1950, and moved to Eldon, Missouri in 1953. John and Lorraine were married nearly 71 years and raised three sons.

Lorraine was active in many work, community and charity activities which demonstrated her servant’s heart. She was a member of Eldon United Methodist Church since 1953. Her involvement in the adult choir, handbell choir, teaching Sunday School and United Methodist Women were special joys. She influenced many lives for the better working at the Division of Family Services of Miller County and teaching Adult Basic Education (GED). She sang in the Lake Area Chorale and played clarinet as a charter member of the Lake Area Community Orchestra through the age of 89. She was a charter member of Rock Island DAR chapter, a member of P.E.O., was a board member of Gateway Industries and Meals on Wheels among many other activities.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Shirley, her husband John, her son David, and daughter-in-law Betty Watkins Dowler.

Lorraine is survived by brother Gene Toepfer (Jan) of Alameda, California; brother-in-law Ted Dowler (Beth) of Springfield, Missouri; sons Michael Dowler (Paula) of Marshfield, Missouri and Tim Dowler (Mark Smith) of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren Stephanie Yeager (Kyle) of Springfield, Missouri and Shelby Dowler (Monica) of Springfield, Missouri; great-granddaughters Kailey and Natalynn Yeager of Springfield, Missouri, along with a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and many good friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Eldon United Methodist Church, the Lake Area Community Orchestra, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 29, 2022 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Phillips Funeral Home of Eldon, MO.  Funeral Service will be Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 10:00 AM at the United Methodist Church of Eldon, MO with Rev. Amanda Gastreich officiating.  Burial will follow at Spring Garden Cemetery near Eugene, MO.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Phillips Funeral Home of Eldon, MO. 

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