Dorothy Louise DeMotte

April 15, 1926 —  June 18, 2008

MONTROSE —  Dorothy Louise DeMotte, age 82, died peacefully at home, with her family present, Wednesday morning, June 18, 2008. Dorothy was born on April 15, 1926, in Jasper, Ind., to Leodis and Bessie (Taylor) Potts. She spent her childhood and graduated from high school in Jasper, Ind. Dorothy met Dale DeMotte at church in Otwell, Ind., while still living in Jasper. They remained sweethearts during the war, and when Dale returned from active duty they were married on July 14, 1946 in her parent’s garden. They lived in various Indiana college towns while having their two daughters. They settled finally in Champaign, Ill. Dorothy worked as an administrative assistant at the University of Illinois. Dorothy and Dale were members of the First Methodist Church in Champaign, Ill., and Eastern Star, also in Champaign, where they served as the Worthy Matron and Patron in 1976. Following Dale’s death July 6, 2001, Dorothy moved to Montrose to be closer to her daughter, attending First Presbyterian here. Dorothy loved creating brightly colored, elaborate geometric patterns in various flat art media, and also enjoyed crossword puzzles and reading, bingo and her many new Colorado friends.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Anne (Anita) Pletsch and her husband, Chris Schmidt of Montrose; granddaughters, Nicole Starnes of Montrose, Sarah (Steve) Miller of Montrose; and grandson, Kevin Schmidt. Great-grandchildren surviving are Jeremy and Susan Tunget, and Aurora Miller.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; and one daughter, Lynda DeMotte, who died in an automobile accident at the age of 16. A memorial service in honor and celebration of Dorothy’s life will be officiated by Reverend Jo DeVinny at First Presbyterian Church in Montrose on Saturday, June 21 at 10 a.m. A memorial service will also be held at Morgan Savoy, Ill. (near Champaign),Wednesday, June 25 followed by inurnment at Roselawn Cemetery in Champaign, Ill. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dorothy DeMotte to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402 or to First Methodist Church in Champaign through Morgan Memorial.

Arrangements are being handled under the direction and care of Valley Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, 505 S. 2nd St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-4400.