Mrs. Levy Kusenberger, nee Dorothy Nell Gold, died on Thursday, December 9, at the age of 89 years. She was born on March 22, 1932, to Olivia Moldenhauer Gold and Benno Gold. Dorothy spent her entire life in Gillespie County, graduating from Fredericksburg High School in 1949. Following graduation she worked as bookkeeper and cashier.

On July 2, 1950, she married her high school sweetheart, Levy Kusenberger, in Holy Ghost Lutheran Church. They made their home on the Kusenberger family farm and ranch in the Blumenthal community. This was to be their home for the sixty-four years of their marriage.

The rural life was new to Dorothy. However, she was determined to be the best farmer­ rancher's wife possible. She worked alongside her husband in the peach and plum orchard, tending the livestock, and occasionally driving the tractor.   In the spring she planted large gardens. Her kitchen cabinets were loaded with jars of vegetables from her garden. She also canned peaches, made peach preserves and cooked jellies. The aroma of her homemade bread filled the house for many years. She taught herself to sew and made most of her clothes and her daughter's. From prom dresses to dance costumes and cheerleading outfits she became quite a seamstress. Her grandest creation was a Lutheran Charity Coronation for her daughter, which covered their living room floor for months.

Growing flowers was her passion, especially exotic tall bearded irises, hybrid roses and amaryllis. She shared them with her sisters, neighbors and friends. Many of these are still blooming in their gardens. One variety of her irises still blooms in a friend's yard in Germany.

After her two children were in school she worked as a news writer for the then Fredericksburg Standard for nine years. She enjoyed doing wedding write ups, and knew details about wedding dresses and cakes without having been at peoples' weddings. She worked at the Fredericksburg Clinic for another nineteen years as a receptionist.

Levy and Dorothy found time to travel in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. They celebrated their

fiftieth wedding anniversary in Hawaii at a luau.

Dorothy was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. The three grandchildren knew her as "Nana". Dorothy's family was her heart and soul. She will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Teri Nell Ewing and husband, David of Fredericksburg; her son, Dr. Don Kusenberger and wife, Ann, of Little Rock, Arkansas. She is survived by three grandchildren, Derek Becker, of Austin; Chris Kusenberger of Little Rock, and Allison McArdle and husband, Darragh of Plano.

Surviving brothers and sisters are Jerry Gold of Rocksprings; Vicki Moix and husband, Joe of Fredericksburg; Janette Castro of Fredericksburg, Sandra Poole and husband, Danny of Fredericksburg; Daniel Gold and wife, Lyn of Kerrville; sister-in-law Joyce Gold of Floresville,

brother-in-law Tony Dettling and wife, Doris of Dripping Springs. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were husband, Levy; her parents Olivia and Benno Gold; a sister, Joan Dettling, and a brother, Elroy Gold. She is also preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Peggy Gold; a brother-in-law, Benjamin Jacques Castro; and a brother-in-law, Earl McBride.

Pallbearers are Derek Becker, Chris Kusenberger, Daniel Gold, Jackie Gold, Elroy Gold, Jr, Darragh McArdle,  and Jacob Gold.

Visitation will be Friday December 17, 2021 from 4:00p.m. – 6:00p.m. in the Fredericksburg                                                               Funeral Home

Funeral Service will take place on December 18, 2021 at 2:00p.m. in the Holy Ghost Lutheran Church interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, Habitat for Humanity or the charity of your choice.