Dorothea Lucille Neil Sohner, 106, of Waterloo, IA, died Thursday, December 20, 2012.

She was born February 23, 1906 in Hales Corners (Milwaukee County), WI, third child of Harry H. and Dorothea Conrad Neil. Dorothy was united in marriage to Russell E. Sohner on April 10, 1941. He preceded her in death April 26, 1988.

At the age of 3, her family moved to East Troy, WI. It was a time that the first street cars were running from Milwaukee to East Troy, when a beautiful white brick school was built-where Dorothy received her education and when girls basketball was first introduced. Dorothy joined 4 senior girls-and in 1924 was elected Captain her senior year, with 2 freshmen and 3 sophomores making up the team. Dorothy continued her education at Lawrence University. in Appleton, WI. After a year, she decided to become a teacher; she changed schools and graduated 3 years later from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

Dorothy taught 3 years in Wausau, WI teaching forty-two 5-year-olds reading, writing, numbers, spelling, drawing and gym. She taught 1st graders for 17 years in West Allis, WI. She met Russell Sohner in Milwaukee and they were married in 1941 in the same Little White Church her parents were married in 1900.

In 1947 they moved to Waterloo where Russell joined his father in partnership with the Travelers Insurance Co. Since 1948, she and her husband were very active members of First Presbyterian Church. Dorothy continued teaching, retiring from Kingsley Elementary in 1956. She became more active in Teachers Community Concerts and served as vice president. She was a longtime member of PEO Chapter IX. She enjoyed reading, bridge, sewing and baking. At the age of 103, she baked 2 different birthday cakes for her nieces and nephews to enjoy.

She is survived by her nephew John Hills, Pewaukee, WI-his children and grandchildren. Her husband’s family: Susan and John Mendenhall, DeForest, IL-their children and grandchildren; Thomas and Jean Eaton, Albert Lea, MN-their children and grandchildren; Jeffery and Heidi Eaton, Keating Terrace, WI; Jennie and Steven Nottger, Hudson-their children and grandchildren; and David and Kathy Lewis, Blue Grass-their children and grandchildren. Her cousins Doris and Roger Steckhan, Neil Peterson, James Seel, and Sally Gillispie.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Thelma V. Schuster, brother Chester R. Neil, and niece Merry Hills.