Dorothy Jane Schenk

RUPERT – Dorothy Jane Schenk, a 90-year-old longtime resident of Rupert, passed away peacefully Thursday, August 28, 2025, at her daughter’s home in Hagerman. She was a wonderful Mom, Grandma, Great-grandma, Sister, Aunt, Sister-in law, and Friend. She was always there when we needed her most, offering support, wisdom and love. Her smiles and kindness will truly be missed by family and friends.

Dorothy was born on April 8, 1935, in Burley, Idaho to Pauline Koch Neiwert and John Neiwert Sr. She was the second oldest of six children and grew up in the Mini- Cassia area. The family farmed in the Declo area and then later had a farm in Emerson. Mom graduated from Heyburn High School in 1953. In High School, Mom was involved in a number of clubs and activities: Journalism, Student Council, Chorus, Future Homemaker’s, Pep Club, and Cheerleading. Mom remembered her cheerleading chants and we loved it when she would share them with all of us.

On September 11, 1955, Dorothy Jane Neiwert and Alvin Ray Schenk exchanged wedding vows. They both grew up in the area, attended the same Congregational Church in Paul, and came from hard-working farm families. They raised 5 kids on their farm in Rupert, where together, they worked, played, traveled, and created a loving home for 65 plus years.

Mom loved family. She looked forward to family gatherings where she got to see her kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mom was an excellent cook. We all loved the get-togethers because it meant that we would get to indulge in a delicious dish of “Mom’s Noodles” as part of our meal. There was plenty of food on the table for all, and rarely leftovers. Our friends always enjoyed stopping by for lunch or that piece of red beet cake that Mom would make. You could count on Mom to have a piece of candy in her candy drawer if you needed to calm your sweet tooth. We had good food, good snacks, and all made with lots of love.

When we were growing up, one of the highlights of summer on the farm, was Dorothy and Alvin’s 4th of July picnic. After the 4th of July Parade, which our family never missed, it was a tradition for family and friends to gather at the Schenks’ for food, fun, conversation, laughter, and games. Any game that was being played you could expect Mom to be out there participating in it. Some of the picnics even included your own gallon can of tadpoles from our pond and if you needed a puppy, Mom would send that home with you too. Mom really enjoyed preparing for this day. It meant a lot to her to have family and friends there to enjoy the good times we had.

Mom also loved country and gospel music. When she was in the house doing inside chores, she would turn on the local radio station and you could catch her singing along. When there were celebrations that included music and a dance floor, you could find Mom and Dad dancing to the music. Enjoying the celebration and enjoying each other.

Mom loved the farm and farming. The skills she learned growing up on the family farm carried over into her life with Dad and family. Not only would Mom be preparing meals and tending to the household chores, she also worked outside in the yard, fields, and with the livestock. She could drive truck, bale hay, do tractor work, be out in the fields thinning and hoeing beets and beans, irrigate, have a garden, yardwork, fix fence, the list goes on and on. Mom was a strong role model for all of us. She loved driving truck during the corn silage and sugar beet harvests. Getting up early, getting all of us out the door to school, grabbing the yellow lab, Rusty, then starting the truck up and meeting Dad in the field to get the crops in. She put in long days and nights and made it look so easy, no complaints, just getting the work done. Mom was our Superwoman!

One of Mom’s favorite chores and hobbies was to raise baby calves. She bottle fed many calves when we were growing up. Mom would mix the milk for the calves in 5-gallon buckets, and then, with a bucket in each hand, carry them out to put it in the bottles. There were many little calves that were lucky to have her caring for them. For those calves that needed a little extra care to survive, Mom’s compassion and special touch made all the difference.

Mom encouraged us to be involved in activities. She supported us in whatever we wanted to try. Mom drove us to various practices and events. It wasn’t unusual for her to drive one kid to one practice then come home and take another kid to another practice. Her support for us was unwavering. Always there to make sure we had the opportunity to try different things. She taught us to be confident, independent, to embrace challenges, and to keep moving forward.

When Mom wasn’t driving us to events or doing farm and household chores, she worked as a substitute school lunch cook and checked groceries at a couple of local grocery stores. Mom liked these “outside of the house” jobs. It gave her the opportunity to visit with members of the community and she enjoyed that a lot. Sharing stories and smiles with those around her.

Mom was dedicated to family. Her love, encouragement, and support made such a difference in our lives. She may no longer be with us, but the lessons she taught us will be with us forever. We love you Mom!

We want to thank the care teams that helped with Mom; Caring 4-U; Brenda, Paula, Della and Julie; Auburn Crest Home Health and Hospice; Julene, Erika, Mary, and Sarah. We appreciate the care and compassion you showed our Mom.

A special thank you to Mom’s caregiver, Valerie. Your knowledge, honesty, compassion, generosity, and sense of humor were greatly valued by the family. All of your kindness and support made it easier for Mom.

Mom is preceded in death by her husband Alvin Schenk; father John Neiwert Sr., mother Pauline (Koch) Neiwert; sister Leona (Neiwert) Svoboda and her husband Dale, brother John Neiwert Jr.; grand-daughter Jonna (Manning) Daugenbaugh; brother in-law Steve Batman.

She is survived by her children Debbie Schenk, Linda Manning (Dennis), Laurie Loveland- Montgomery (Jack), Suzan Schenk (Val), and Greg Schenk (Michelle); seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother Garold Neiwert and his wife Linda, sisters Judy (Neiwert) Batman and Julie (Neiwert) Woodford (Brian).

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 15, 2025, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 E. 16th Street, in Burley, where family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, September 14, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Monday, preceding the service. Burial will follow at Rupert Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local food bank, senior center or a charity of your choice.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/2GBjwztwURc.