THERESA (Krimmer) DOBLER

THERESA DOBLER (nee Krimmer) age 93. Beloved wife of the late Frank. Loving mother of Helga Sheppard (James) and Frank Dobler (Robin). Cherished grandmother of Daniel Sheppard (Silvia), Eric Sheppard (Jamie), Max Dobler and Jill Aitcheme (Quentin) and great grandmother of Grace, Annabel, Patrick, Luca, Benjamin and Remy. Dear sister of Michael Krimmer (late Toni) and Kathy Schaffhauser (late George).

Theresa was born on June 7, 1928 in the village of Klek, Yugoslavia (in the modern day Serbia).  She grew up on a farm with her two siblings Mike and Kathy.  When World War II broke out in Europe, Theresa and her family were removed from their family home and she was sent to a variety of war/forced labor camps.  She was released from her final camp, in Russia, on November 26, 1949.  From there she made her way to Germany where she was reunited with her mother and siblings and met her husband Frank.  In 1952, Theresa and Frank moved to the United States with their three year old daughter Helga, moving to Collinwood, Ohio and eventually settling in Euclid, Ohio. 

Once settled in Euclid, Theresa and Frank had their son Frank, Jr.  While raising Helga and Frank, Theresa had a variety of jobs throughout her life – Boyertown Casket Company, cleaning offices, and Donn Ray, where she worked her way up to shift supervisor before retirement.  Outside of working, Theresa enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking, baking, dancing, and traveling.  She sewed almost all of Helga’s clothes, including several mother-daughter outfits (luckily for Frank she gave up on this hobby by the time he was around). Theresa loved all types of flowers and plants, and various planters could be found all around her house and room as long as she was able to take care of them.  Her gardening skills allowed Frank, Helga, and Frank, Jr. to eat homemade vegetables for many years.  Those homemade vegetables were always accompanied by traditional eastern European meals.  Stuffed cabbages, chicken paprikash, a variety of soups, and wiener schnitzel were some of her and her families favorites.  The meals were of course accompanied by various desserts – strudels, torts, and pizzelles were family favorites.  Theresa and Frank were avid dancers.  From Germany to the United States, they spent many evenings dancing the night away with friends.  Polkas were their specialty.  After retiring, Theresa and Frank enjoyed traveling to a variety of places, always bringing back a souvenir plate, the collection of which they proudly (and somewhat tackily) displayed in their kitchen.

After Frank passed away in 2005, Theresa determinedly lived independently until her passing, living alone in her house until 2019. Theresa found purpose by caring for and spending time with her four grandchildren and her six great grandchildren.  Her faith, love and kindness to everyone served her well up until her final days.  She had a positive effect on everyone that she came in contact with, and she will be missed.  We are all comforted knowing that she is up in Heaven, reunited with Frank, smiling down on all of us.

Contributions suggested to the Cypress Hospice, 2 Berea Commons, Berea, Ohio 44017. A Mass of Christian Burial, St. Paschal Baylon Church 5384 Wilson Mills Rd, Highland Heights, OH 44143, Friday December 3, 2021 at 10:00 AM. (EVERYONE MEET AT CHURCH). Interment All Souls Cemetery. Friends received Thursday 6 – 8 PM at the A. RIPEPI AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY ROAD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH (West of I-71).

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