Dorothy M. Heller, 83, of rural Geneseo, died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at Hammond-Henry Hospital, Geneseo, surrounded by her loving family. Memorial services celebrating her life were held Wednesday, Jan. 13, at First Congregational Church, Geneseo. The Rev. Bruce Bergthold officiated. Visitation was Tuesday, Jan. 12, at Vandemore Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Geneseo. Cremation rites were accorded following the services and a private family inurnment will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Mission Endowment Fund at First Congregational Church, or the Atkinson Rescue Squad.

She was born April 12, 1926, in Macomb, the daughter of Paul and Marguerite (Setterdahl) Nestler. She was a 1944 graduate of Geneseo High School, attended and graduated from Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa. She then graduated from Chicago Wesley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1949. She married Eugene V. Heller Sept. 28, 1949, in Geneseo. She had been employed by Dr. Maxhn McCaw D.O., as his first registered nurse, for 10 years, and also worked for the Atkinson/Geneseo School District as school nurse for 27 years. She was an active member of the First Congregational Church, Geneseo. She was active in the CROP (Christian World Overseas Program), P.E.O., traveled extensively with numerous mission groups, participated in numerous walks and races for charity organizations, enjoyed going for coffee and lunch with friends, and belonged to several bridge clubs. She loved her cat, Muffin, and all animals.

Survivors include her husband, Eugene; four daughters and spouses, Sharon and Jim Shock of East Moline, Deborah and Kurt Horberg of Cambridge, Wendy and Steve Foerder of Kewanee, and Jody and Bran Moens of Perry, N.Y.; one son, Gary Heller, of Geneseo; two nieces, whom she raised, and spouse, Cindy Ey of Geneseo, and Kathy and Ricardo Dominguez of Munster, Ind.; one nephew, Dr. Steven R. Ey of Aliso Viejo, Calif.; one brother, Frank Nestler of Springfield; 13 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a twin brother, Donald, and a daughter-in-law, Mary Heller.