February 18, 2021
by Darren Kerbs
Dorothy Linda (Lampe) Kerbs of Twin Falls, Idaho passed away on her birthday, February 8, 2021, at Cascadia of Boise.
Dorothy was born in Twin Falls, Idaho to Hilda (Thaete) and LaVerne Lampe on February 8, 1947. Being a farm girl, along with her sister, Gloria, she learned how to work hard – whether it was picking rock in the fields or pulling corrugates for her father, or gardening and canning summer fruit alongside her mother. Dorothy attended Memorial Lutheran School and later graduated from Twin Falls High School. She also attended the University of Idaho, majoring in children’s literature.
Dorothy and I met at a Lutheran youth convention in August of 1963, after which I would be attending the University of Idaho in the fall. I’ll never forget our favorite song while we were dating - “The Twelfth of Never” by Johnny Mathis. During our courtship, I learned the country roads quite well driving between our homes in Rupert and Twin Falls, and we eventually married on August 27, 1966.
We started our family with three beautiful children and moved between Twin Falls and Nampa and back to Twin Falls during my career with Amalgamated Sugar Company. Dorothy was a loving wife and mother and raised her children in the Christian faith, to which she was most devoted.
Dorothy’s career was most impressive, both as a homemaker and for several years as a school librarian and library volunteer. Besides being a busy mother and gracious wife, Dorothy was a skilled seamstress, sewing many fine clothes for herself, our children, and others. During our many trips to Wisconsin Dorothy persuaded her grandsons to learn the basics of sewing which paid off, because they made several items for their Nanna and Poppa themselves and cute things for their dogs.
She was most content with a needle in her hand and a thimble on her finger, and she cherished the joy her handiwork brought to many. Our walls, couches, tables and beds were always adorned by her beautiful creations, and our children recall countless hours alongside their mother as she looked through countless patterns and measured out hundreds of yards of fabric.
An early onset of fibromyalgia only slightly held Dorothy back from enjoying life to the fullest. She was an exceptional cook and host, our beautiful yard was always full of blooms, and birds were always grateful for her hospitality. Dorothy adored her children and grandsons, appreciated the little things in life, loved a long conversation, and was always making to-do lists for herself and for me. Since it was her passion, our children grew up with music in their lives and there was always music playing in the background while she worked on projects.
After Dorothy took up quilting, it quickly became her most passionate hobby. Many surfaces in our home were dedicated to cutting fabric or storing pieces and batting, and every one of our road trips included visits to fabric and quilt stores. She led the quilt group at Our Savior Lutheran Church for many years, was passionate about getting others involved and feeling valued, and made sure this ministry served those greatest in need. Giving back was important to Dorothy and she was a humble servant for as long as I can remember.
She struggled her final three years of life due to complications from a brain surgery. We are deeply grateful for the teams who provided exceptional care and the countless cards, visits and well wishes from those we dearly love. During this time, my admiration for her only grew deeper. Honey - I’ll love you till the bluebells forget to bloom, and the clover has lost its perfume.
After a cherished marriage of 54 years, my beloved wife leaves me, Len Kerbs (Twin Falls, Idaho); our daughter Melanie Kerbs (Twin Falls, Idaho); son Darren Kerbs (Tacoma, Wash.); son Brian Kerbs, daughter-in-law Gayl Kerbs and grandsons Trenton and Austin Kerbs (Greenville, Wis.); and sister Gloria (Lampe) Lierman (Milpitas, Calif.).
Dorothy was born in Twin Falls, Idaho to Hilda (Thaete) and LaVerne Lampe on February 8, 1947. Being a farm girl, along with her sister, Gloria, she learned how to work hard – whether it was picking rock in the fields or pulling corrugates for her father, or gardening and canning summer fruit alongside her mother. Dorothy attended Memorial Lutheran School and later graduated from Twin Falls High School. She also attended the University of Idaho, majoring in children’s literature.
Dorothy and I met at a Lutheran youth convention in August of 1963, after which I would be attending the University of Idaho in the fall. I’ll never forget our favorite song while we were dating - “The Twelfth of Never” by Johnny Mathis. During our courtship, I learned the country roads quite well driving between our homes in Rupert and Twin Falls, and we eventually married on August 27, 1966.
We started our family with three beautiful children and moved between Twin Falls and Nampa and back to Twin Falls during my career with Amalgamated Sugar Company. Dorothy was a loving wife and mother and raised her children in the Christian faith, to which she was most devoted.
Dorothy’s career was most impressive, both as a homemaker and for several years as a school librarian and library volunteer. Besides being a busy mother and gracious wife, Dorothy was a skilled seamstress, sewing many fine clothes for herself, our children, and others. During our many trips to Wisconsin Dorothy persuaded her grandsons to learn the basics of sewing which paid off, because they made several items for their Nanna and Poppa themselves and cute things for their dogs.
She was most content with a needle in her hand and a thimble on her finger, and she cherished the joy her handiwork brought to many. Our walls, couches, tables and beds were always adorned by her beautiful creations, and our children recall countless hours alongside their mother as she looked through countless patterns and measured out hundreds of yards of fabric.
An early onset of fibromyalgia only slightly held Dorothy back from enjoying life to the fullest. She was an exceptional cook and host, our beautiful yard was always full of blooms, and birds were always grateful for her hospitality. Dorothy adored her children and grandsons, appreciated the little things in life, loved a long conversation, and was always making to-do lists for herself and for me. Since it was her passion, our children grew up with music in their lives and there was always music playing in the background while she worked on projects.
After Dorothy took up quilting, it quickly became her most passionate hobby. Many surfaces in our home were dedicated to cutting fabric or storing pieces and batting, and every one of our road trips included visits to fabric and quilt stores. She led the quilt group at Our Savior Lutheran Church for many years, was passionate about getting others involved and feeling valued, and made sure this ministry served those greatest in need. Giving back was important to Dorothy and she was a humble servant for as long as I can remember.
She struggled her final three years of life due to complications from a brain surgery. We are deeply grateful for the teams who provided exceptional care and the countless cards, visits and well wishes from those we dearly love. During this time, my admiration for her only grew deeper. Honey - I’ll love you till the bluebells forget to bloom, and the clover has lost its perfume.
After a cherished marriage of 54 years, my beloved wife leaves me, Len Kerbs (Twin Falls, Idaho); our daughter Melanie Kerbs (Twin Falls, Idaho); son Darren Kerbs (Tacoma, Wash.); son Brian Kerbs, daughter-in-law Gayl Kerbs and grandsons Trenton and Austin Kerbs (Greenville, Wis.); and sister Gloria (Lampe) Lierman (Milpitas, Calif.).