Gertrude "Dotty" Nittler

Dotty Nittler

Gertrude (Dotty) Rose Nittler, neé Fox was born on February 3, 1931 on a farm in rural Wisconsin and died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on May 1, 2025 in Denver. She told excellent stories about how she grew up milking cows and walking to school in the snow (uphill both ways, of course). She was born into a big tight-knit family, and family continued to be important to her. After graduating from high school at 16, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the Whitewater State Teachers College and then moved to Colorado.

A schoolteacher, nearly-full time volunteer, mother of five, grandmother of six, Dotty stayed busy and active for her entire 94 years. She was a devout Catholic who was a long-time, actively engaged parishioner at Most Precious Blood Church. Dotty was an advocate for peace who was devoted to helping those in need. She lived her faith and she exemplified Luke 12:48 “to whom much has been given, much is expected.”

She was generous with her time and a leader in many philanthropical endeavors—so many that it was hard to put them all in print. She ran a soup kitchen, headed the parent-teacher groups in multiple schools, sold crafts and coffee to raise money for families in central America, distributed household supplies to families in transition, protested for a better world, among many other projects. She was arrested multiple times for civil disobedience. She was a kind and thoughtful mentor to many. The world is a better place for her kindness, integrity and energy.

One night at a Catholic Alumni Club cocktail party in 1962, Dotty met Roger, a man who was kind and generous. They were married for 56 years. Together they visited the Holy Land, learned to play ukulele, volunteered in prison ministry, dominated the bridge scene (to hear them tell) and doted on their grandkids. They won KUSA’s 9 Who Care Award in 1980 for starting and running The Sunday Lunch Program.

Dotty was curious and adventurous, a life-long learner, musician, artist, baker of pies, knitter, avid traveler, gardener, and friend to everyone she met. She was an appreciator of black licorice, Denver sports teams and theater. She graduated from the Catholic Biblical School.

Dotty is survived by her brother, Jerry; four children: Monica (Mick), Eileen (Greg), Larry (Rhonda), Julie (Kevin); her daughter-in-law, Ginny; and four grandchildren: Mara, Lily, Lara, Rose (Mitchell).

She is predeceased by her husband, Roger; six siblings: Mary, George, Dolores, Jim, Roger; her son, Bill; and two grandchildren: Henry, Allison. She was looking forward to dancing with Roger and Jesus. Dance with joy, Dotty.

We’d like to thank Bloom Hospice for the comfort they brought to Dotty and her family during her last months, especially Sarah McMahon, Samantha Stein, and Katie Vendell.

Funeral Mass will be held  Tuesday, July 8, 2025, Holy Family Catholic Church, 4320 Utica Street, Denver, 80212. The time of mass will be updated here soon. 

Donations to Denver Justice and Peace, The Delores Project, and Bloom Hospice.