Dorothy Merle Lochner

February 1933 – November 2020

Dorothy Merle Lochner, age 87, was called to her eternal home on November 22, 2020. Dorothy was born in Meriden, Iowa on February 26, 1933 to John and Edith Merle Lochner. She was the second child of eight. Dorothy attended Meriden school, grades K-12. In high school she discovererd her love of sports. Dorothy helped lead her girls basketball team to the State tournament two years, one being when she was still an eighth grader. She accepted Jesus as her personal Saviour at age 15. After high school she attended Trinity Bible College in Chicago. She traveled to Turlock, California with a college friend where she made her home.

Dorothy graduated from Modesto Jr. College with an A.A. and San Jose State College in 1958 with a B.A. degree majoring in Physical Education. Her M.A. degree in Counseling and Guidance would come later from Chapman College.

Turlock High School employed Dorothy in 1958 to teach girls Physical Education for 14 years. She became a counselor in 1972 and retired in 1988. Dorothy was a faithful Turlock High Bulldog all her days.

Dorothy’s love for the Lord led her to serve in many areas of her church. She served as Sunday School teacher, Women’s Ministry leader, Women’s Missionary Society and served on the National Evangelical Free Church of America Mission Board in Minneapolis for 12 years.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents John and Edith Lochner; brothers Dale, Richard and Ronald Lochner; sisters Joyce Hultman, Shirley Lochner, Lois Herron, and Carol Hetrick. She is survived by her dear friend Verna Buerge.

Dorothy enjoyed saying “I will meet you here, there, or in the air.” She would love to see you up there!

Condolences(32)

Cindy Salazar says
December 1, 2020 at 1:53 am

RIP, wow, I can hear her laugh. I remember her being so kind to everyone. Fond memories.
Lanita Moen says
November 30, 2020 at 6:17 pm

I knew her first as Miss Lochner, my PE teacher at THS from 1959-1963. It was evident that she loved her students and wanted the best for us. A very special memory was a trip she took with a few of us on to a Giants (or A’s ) game. I also remember the look of disappointment when I skipped school one day! I hated disappointing her! But she forgave and the friendship was restored!
I looked forward to spending time with her again at Covenant Living, but we didn’t get that chance.
I hope she knew how much she was loved and respected.
Jane Bledsoe Williams says
November 30, 2020 at 2:10 am

One of my favorite teachers. Always happy and encouraging to her students. She will be missed.
Karen says
November 29, 2020 at 5:14 pm

Loved and appreciated Dottie. She would write little notes of interesting things to my mom in the nursing home which she enjoy so much. She was also a great encouragement to me in THS. She was such a fun person!! She will be missed!
Betty Hedstrom says
November 29, 2020 at 4:38 pm

Our dear friend Dorothy leaves us with many many memories dating back to our old Evangelical Free Church days on Lander & 4th in Turlock . My sister , Jean & I would play doubles Tennis with Dorothy & Bette Edlund , missionary to Venezuela . What fun we had !! My husband , Bob & Dorothy would always enjoy discussing their teaching experiences . She was a faithful servant of Gods work & will truly be missed . Peace be to her memory !! Sincerely , Betty Hedstrom.
Betty Hedstrom says
November 29, 2020 at 4:22 pm

Our dear friend Dorothy leaves us with many many memories dating back to the old Evangelical Free Church on Lander & 4th in Turlock . My sister , Jean & I would play doubles tennis with Dorothy & Betty Edlund ( missionary to Venezuela) . Those were the days !! My husband , Bob knew Dorothy quite well & always enjoyed discussing their experiences as teachers. She was a cherished friend , loyal to serving God. She truly will be missed !!! Peace to her memory. Sincerely , Betty Hedstrom
Cindy Peterson says
November 29, 2020 at 2:55 pm

Miss Lochner had a quick wit. Always full of humor and energy. Yep, I can imagine Miss Lochner as a youthful “spark plug” on her state championship basketball teams, because she had a team player outlook in general. And she was focused. You know, it must have been quite a journey to leave rural northwest Iowa and bustling Chicago for snowless San Jose and eventually Turlock. Cheers to you, Miss Lochner!
Karen Pede says
November 29, 2020 at 10:14 am

My PE teacher also. Always a smile and words of encouragement. Thank you for caring for each of us. I know you are now Home!
Linda Sutton Reich says
November 29, 2020 at 5:00 am

Miss Lochner will be truly be missed. Loved her smile and laugh. I too had her for a PE teacher and then I had the pleasure working with her at THS. My favorite memory though is seeing her at the Turlock Fair. I always felt such joy seeing her and Verna Buerge at the fair. The smiles and the laughter will be missed.
Jo Dean Morris Hart says
November 29, 2020 at 4:22 am

Thank you Miss Lochner. You inspired me to be more outgoing. I always enjoyed seeing you around town; same great attitude and sweet smile. May the angels wrap their wings around you and take you home.
Luisa Barragan says
November 29, 2020 at 3:10 am

Thank you Miss Lochner. Good THS PE memories. RIP
Margaret Munnelly says
November 29, 2020 at 12:51 am

She was a great person, an infectious smile and laughter. She will be missed.
Renee Hoobyar says
November 28, 2020 at 10:58 pm

I was one of those kids in High School at the EV Free church that Dottie carted around in a rickety old unairconditioned church van to various outings. She was always fun and patient with all of us and had a great sense of humor. I would run into her at Covenant Village later in life and she still had that great smile. RIP and see you soon!
Barbara Walker says
November 28, 2020 at 8:21 pm

My husband and I loved Dottie. I had her as a PE teacher and then worked with her for 10 years. What a wonderful woman. She loved the Lord and now she is sitting at Jesus’s feet. I have confidence we’ll see you again, Dottie!!!
Susan C. Coslett aka Schmall says
November 28, 2020 at 8:10 pm

Rest In Peace Miss Lochner! You were a very special teacher ! You gave me many memories to last through out my life ! I often ran into you at the Memorial Services at the cemetery! When I saw you I always remembered PE ! You are now with Our Lord in Heaven ! May Peace always be with you. I will remember you with special thoughts .
Linda Hetherington Charbonneau says
November 28, 2020 at 7:53 pm

She was the best. She made us all feel good about our self’s. What more can be said about a wonderful person and teacher.
Marsha Barkhousen says
November 28, 2020 at 7:37 pm

I remember when Dorothy came to Turlock my aunt brought her to the house to meet my folks I was very young but she always remembered me and always greet me when I saw her such a great lady Dottie Rest in the arms of Jesus and say hi to my aunt Marsha and Lee Barkhousen
Sandi Fusi Swanson says
November 28, 2020 at 7:16 pm

She was one of my favorite teachers at Turlock high school. She really cared about her students. I’m glad to have known her.
Lori Netka says
November 28, 2020 at 6:44 pm

She was a special lady, remember her well from THS. When I worked in retail she would always stop and talk but always made sure to say hi!!!
Wanda Cardoza says
November 28, 2020 at 5:54 pm

She was so awesome, caring and dedicated to whatever she did!
I soo enjoyed her and Ricky in my PE classes during my 4 years at THS (1961-64)
What a great giver to many
Mary Morais Venema says
November 28, 2020 at 5:37 pm

I enjoyed her as a PE teacher and worked at THS with her for 15 years. Always had the students best interests in her heart. Rest in God’s hands Dorothy, you do deserve it.
Sherry Denis-Wilson says
November 28, 2020 at 5:24 pm

Rest in peace eternally Miss Lochner. You gave me many many memories of High School P.E. classes, plus great advise too! You are missed.
Eugene Longnecker says
November 28, 2020 at 4:57 pm

You were my Guidance counselor Freshman year, Nice Lady RIP
Judy Chambers says
November 28, 2020 at 4:56 pm

Dottie was a faithful caring person. I remember when she came to the Ev Free when it was on Lander Ave. She will be missed.
Saundra Nordgren Voyles says
November 28, 2020 at 4:03 pm

She was my P.E., along with Miss Ricky, all my H.S, years. She was the first person in our realm to purchase a VW Bug. She was given a good ribbing for it, but took it in stride.
Loved you dearly Miss Lochner