Dorothy Mae Lastovica

Dorothy Mae Lastovica

September 22, 1930 – December 29, 2019

On September 22, 1930 Dorothy Mae (Karpisek) Lastovica was born in Morse Bluff, Nebraska on the family farm to George and Lydia (Kriz) Karpisek.  Soon after her birth she was joined by sisters, Marjory and Leona and then brother, George.  She lived through the Great Depression but said it was easy since they lived on a farm and had plenty to eat and gas for all the farm equipment.  She often told stories about riding her horse out to the pastures to bring the cows in.  Dorothy was an active 4-H member.   She attended grade school in Morse Bluff and graduated from high school in North Bend, NE.  She attended Wayne State College for one year.

She left the farm and moved in with her Uncle Ivan and Aunt Helen Karpisek and family in Omaha.  She began work at CB Brown Jewelers downtown Omaha.  Shortly after that she met her husband to be, Frank Lastovica who was a cousin of Aunt Helen.  They were married on April 30, 1950 on the Karpisek farm in Morse Bluff.  A year later daughter, Susan Marie was born and two years after that Frank Rudolph the V came along.  The family lived on the farm in Morse Bluff and eventually moved to Omaha and then in April of 1955 they bought a home in Papillion, NE where the family lived for 16 years.  She was active in Extension Club, Junior Women’s Club and worked as an office manager at Farm Bureau Insurance.  The Lastovica’s attended Saint Paul’s Methodist Church in Papillion.  Dorothy and Frank loved being active members of Papio Prancers Square Dance Club.  Dorothy was a Girl Scout Leader for Susan’s Troop for many years.

In 1969, Dorothy and Frank moved to Denver, Colorado for Frank’s work and enjoyed their time there.  In 1970 they returned to Nebraska and eventually moved to their home near 132nd and Center.  Frank became very active in Masons and Shrine and Dorothy met many friends there.  She enjoyed her girl friends from her weekly sewing group.  Dorothy was an expert seamstress, making all of her own and Susan’s clothes. She even made a suit for Frank Sr. and upholstered furniture.  And later sewed beautiful little dresses for her three granddaughters.  She also taught her granddaughters to sew.

Upon their return to Nebraska they joined Faith Westwood Church in Millard where they were active with the Senior’s Group.

Dorothy enjoyed family and friends and was a favorite Aunt for many of her nieces and nephews.  She prided herself in her sense of humor.

In her later years she resided at the Masonic Home in Plattsmouth, NE and made many friends there.  She especially enjoyed Monday afternoons when all the ladies gathered to have their nails done.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, George (Carol); and husband, Frank.  She is survived by daughter, Susan Smith; son Frank Lastovica (Karen) all of Omaha; grandchildren: Jana McCann (Patrick) of Chicago, Jason Smith (Kathleen), Jessie Smith of Omaha, Christine Hoffman (Ben) of Aurora, CO and Frank Lastovica VI of Omaha; great-grandchildren: Maggie Smith, Madison Smith, Carrick Smith, Devin McCann, Rory McCann, Makenna Smith and Akiva Hoffman; sisters, Marjory Larson of Omaha and Leona Soukup of North Bend, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Ed Lastovica (Betty) of Yutan, NE; sisters-in-law, Pat Lastovica of Omaha and Janet Lastovica of Howard, CO; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was very excited to be welcoming a new great-grandson due anytime to the Hoffman family.

Family will receive friends Saturday, January 4^th from 10am to 11am, at the West Center Chapel followed by a MEMORIAL SERVICE at 11am.  Memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Masonic Home.