Her own artistic career began in 1899–1901 with her studies as a drawing teacher at the Royal School of Art in Berlin.
"In 1917 Dora Stetter married the artist Fritz Koch-Gotha (1877–1956), gave up her profession as a drawing teacher and took on her role as mother and housewife.
The artists' couple Koch [-Gotha and Stetter] came to Fischland every year from 1922, initially as guests of the painter Franz Triebsch.
After the Berlin studio as well as their apartment and a large part of their works were destroyed in 1944, Althagen became permanent residence.
"I believe that this Dora Koch-Stetter is the true pearl among the painters who have ever worked in Ahrenshoop, long hidden, not many known today, but of lasting brilliancy.