Dorothy E. Toops

Dorothy Eileen Toops went to be with the Lord, July 20, 2024. She was born in Ashton, Mo., to Morris and Charlotte (Weaver) O’Brien on March 22, 1925, the oldest of four children: brother Richard O’Brien and sisters Esther (O’Brien) Kerr and Maureen (O’Brien) Biggs. Dorothy attended school and church in Luray, Mo. After graduation, she attended NEMO State Teachers College, Kirksville, Mo. After attending one quarter, she came home to teach at a small country school in Canaan. She had less than 10 students and stayed with a family nearby and rode a horse to school. She would arrive early at school to stoke the stove and warm up the classroom.

In 1945, Dorothy took another teaching position at St. Francisville school. She stayed the week with Mrs. Elsie Wayland. She had a larger group of students there and could walk to school and warm up the classroom. While teaching there, she caught the eye of William “Bill” Toops who had recently returned from a tour in the US Army. At a school box supper, Bill bought her box supper, and they became acquainted. On June 30, 1946, Bill and Dorothy were married at Luray Methodist parsonage.

She became a full-time homemaker while Bill worked as a mechanic for Kahoka Chevrolet. Their first child Eunice was born in 1947, then Robert born in 1948 and Stephen born in 1950. Dorothy and Bill built a new home three miles east of Kahoka and in 1952 Richard Kent was born. Dorothy enjoyed her family, raising chickens and gardening. She is a member of Kahoka Methodist Church serving as a children’s Sunday School teacher, UMW member, choir member and 4-H Project Leader.

In March 1963, Bill became ill while working in his garage. He was taken to Keokuk Hospital where he died at age 44. Dorothy began working at Exchange Bank in Kahoka later in 1963 where she was employed for 30 years. She moved to Eastgate apartments in 1981. In 2021 she moved to Clark County Nursing Home. Richard Kent Toops, youngest son, died November 16, 2010, after a long illness. Preceding her in death are her parents Morris and Charlotte O’Brien, brother Richard and wife Mary O’Brien, sister, Esther (O’Brien) Kerr and husband Joe Kerr as well as her brother-in-law R. Tipton Biggs.

Surviving is Paul Toops, brother-in-law in Kerrville, TX, Maureen (O’Brien) Biggs, Omaha, NE, her children Eunice Wright (Larry) Clinton, MO, Robert Toops (Bobbie) Williamstown, MO, Stephen Toops (Barbara) Fayetteville, NC, and Richard Kent’s wife Sharon, Gilbert, AZ. Her thirteen grandchildren are Kimberly Hollenberg (Mike), Kristin Etem (Jeff), Timothy Wright, Robby Toops (Kim), Rich Toops, Jessica Abellada (Alain), Justin Toops (Erin), Kyle Toops, Brynn Toops (Natalie), Jared Toops (Tatiana), Andrea Hansen (Tim), Heather Toops (Joey Shaw) and Matthew Toops. She is also survived by twenty-six great grandchildren: Benjamin, Esther, Priscilla, Dez, Elizabeth, Joshua, Abigail, Walker, Zoey, Marnie, Wolf, Blues, Ian, Brooke (Tucker), Drew (Kearra), Paige, Trinity, Brett, Kyle, Bo, Colby, Caitlyn, Gavin, Emma, Megan, and Sydney, one great great granddaughter Isla and one great great grandson due on November 1. Dorothy is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Dorothy was a pillar of strength for her family. Her favorite past-time was watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball and Wheel of Fortune. She loved family picnics, birthdays, and anniversary parties. She loved reading and Bible study. She leaves a legacy of service of love to the Lord, her church, family, and friends.

Funeral Services for Dorothy will be held at 12:00pm, on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at the Kahoka Methodist Church, in Kahoka. Rev. Denise Moore will officiate. A Visitation will take place prior to services Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 11:00am at the Kahoka Methodist Church with interment to take place at Kahoka Cemetery immediately following the funeral. Memorials in Dorothy's name may be made to the Kahoka Methodist Church. Condolences may be left for the family at www.wilsontriplett.com