Dorothy "Dottie" Jane Drewes

Dorothy "Dottie" Jane Drewes (nee: Wehmeyer) of St. Louis, Missouri, was born December 5, 1931 to Martin John and Esther L. (nee Sewing) Wehmeyer, and entered her heavenly home on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025 at the age of 94 years. Loving wife of the late Theodore "Ted" Drewes, Jr.; devoted mother of Christy (Travis) Dillon and Cynthia (Kirk) Verseman; cherished grandmother of Esq. Lauren Verseman, Kristin (Zachary) Bodendieck, Drewes (Sheila Scheffel) Verseman, Bryan (Kristen) Dillon, Joshua (DeAnna) Dillon, Rebecca (Andrew) Scott; dearest great grandmother of Teddy Bodendieck, Quintin Bodendieck, Rose Bodendieck, Desmond Dillon, Kai Dillon, Bruce Dillon, Harleen Condit, Clark Condit, Robin Dillon, Kaylee Scott, Dillon Scott, and Esther Scott; dear sister of Judy (John) Rodden, and sister-in-law of Joan (the late Bill) Gray. She was preceded in death by her parents, Esther and Martin Wehmeyer, and her daughter, Debra Katherine Drewes. She is also survived numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and dear friends. Dottie lived a life full of faith, love, and simple pleasures—richly flavored, much like the custard she helped make famous. She was the devoted wife of Ted Drewes, whom she married on September 1, 1950 at Grace Lutheran Church. She filled their home with music, singing and humming while rocking her babies to sleep. Their marriage spanned nearly 74 years, ending only five days short of that milestone when Ted passed in 2024. Together, they shared a partnership rooted in deep friendship, mutual respect, and joy. They were true confidants, listening to one another, conspiring to create new custard flavors while always honoring the rich, creamy perfection of the simple cone. Dottie's love for ice cream began in childhood, especially treasured trips with her daddy for pistachio ice cream. As a young woman, she worked as a car hop at the custard stand, where she thought Ted must like her—after all, he always dropped her off last when he drove the car-hops home after work. As an excellent typist, Dottie worked as a secretary and as a Ted Drewes employee. After becoming a mother, her most important role at the company was making sure Ted was fed dinner before he headed back to work for a double shift—quiet but essential support that defined her devotion. Together, Dottie and Ted drew inspiration from their travels, helping create new custard flavors along the way. And, at the Ted Drewes Christmas tree lot, it was widely known that a "Dottie Tree" meant you were getting the very best. Her faith was at the center of her life—God always came first. Wherever she went, she had a way of sharing her faith, and people felt the joy she carried in her heart. She never failed to let her light shine for all to see and hear. Dottie was a lifelong Lutheran, worshiping at Grace, Webster Gardens, Ascension, Village, and Historic Trinity. She loved praising God and sang in the church choir for 40 years. She and Ted attended Walther League together at Grace Lutheran Church, where Dottie loved watching Ted play basketball and softball so she could cheer on the love of her life. Exuberant about life, she also joyfully anticipated the day she would see God. Dottie and Ted loved St. Louis and everything it offered, from the Art Museum and Zoo to its music, theater, and sports. They enjoyed the St. Louis Cardinals, The Muny, The Fox, and the St. Louis Symphony. They also loved attending their children and grandchildren’s recitals, concerts, and sporting events, and especially spending precious time with their great grandchildren. In her youngers, Dottie was involved in Girl Scouts, serving as a co-leader from Brownies through Cadets, especially enjoying roller skating and camping with the girls. In her senior years, Dottie enjoyed weekly walks with Ted at Shaw Nature Reserve, eating out after church with the grandchildren, walking in the park, and the quiet joy of simply being together. She found happiness watching birds, making people happy, and watching sunrises and sunsets. She loved to travel and, after visiting Hawaii, famously said, "I felt like I died and went to heaven." If you knew Dottie, you knew her love of the color purple, which was always encapsulated in her signature. Her life was delightfully saturated in it—her kitchen, bathroom, toilet paper, sofa, chairs, car, sunglasses, boots, purses, clothing, and even a girdle and purple mink coat. Butterflies adorned her home as well, secondary only to the purple, but dearly loved. She appreciated beautiful things, good food, simple pleasures, and also nice jewelry and dining out with Ted at the Hawthorne Inn. Dottie was unmistakable, wearing her hair in a 1960s beehive until the pandemic. She was thoughtful to friends, generous to many, caring to all, and endlessly fun-loving. Her life reflected kindness, faith, beauty, and joy—and with her passing, an era truly comes to a close. Dorothy "Dottie" Jane Drewes will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were blessed to know her.

Dorothy "Dottie" Jane Drewes

December 5, 1931 - December 24, 2025