Dorothy was born to Glenn & Jessie Lowrance in rural Illinois in the summer of '35. Her brother Leroy followed quite a few years later. As a family they lived and worked throughout the south, as Glenn was a bridge builder, until they finally settled in Norman, OK. Jessie worked as a hair dresser while Glenn was away many months at a time.
As the oldest, Dorothy supported her mother, the family and helped raise Leroy. She was accepted to Oklahoma University and attended four years with a degree in journalism. That is where she met her soon-to-be husband, Robert. He & a cousin of Dorothy's mother were in Vet School together at Mizzou and traveled to Norman to attend an OU - Mizzou football game. Seems Bob was impressed with Dorothy's vocal support for the Sooner's and Dot was impressed with Robert's willingness to help clean up after dinner - a match made in heaven. They were married in January of 1960 in Norman, OK.
Dot & Bob started life together adding their first son, Steven, in December of 1960 in Laredo, TX. Upon Bob’s graduation from Vet School, they officially joined the United States Air Force, moving to Germany where their second son, Douglas, was born in August of 1962. After 3 years in Germany they landed in Lansing, MI, where son number three, Gary, was born in August of 1965. Dorothy took care of all the moves, kids, and setting up three households in four years while Bob focused on a Masters Degree. Along the way, Dot enjoyed family time while camping, boating, water skiing and just hanging out with Bob & the boys. All told, Dorothy supported Bob and family for 23 years of military service.
Over those years, Dot was a seamstress, mother, artist, wife, author, office manager, real estate agent, cook, water skiing instructor, excellent ski boat driver, camping coordinator and the ultimate authority figure for three rambunctious boys that grew up to be industrious, successful, and caring men. She was an independent, confident, family woman that did not take crap from anyone at any time. She was the ‘Super’ in the family glue and never let obstacles slow the family down. She was the epitome of a military wife: strong, independent, confident, and capable.
Once Bob finally retired from military and state service, they relocated to southern Illinois and began the full-time job of Grandma. She was overjoyed with the addition of three delightful daughters, Debbie, Tracy & Jennifer which blessed her with 8 grandkids (Bobby, Danielle, Rebecca, Austin, Bryan, Jessica, Reed & Paige) and 2 soon-to-be 3 great grandkids (Caroline and Thomas). In retirement Bob & Dot enjoyed bird watching, sitting on the front porch, family gatherings, boating at the nearby lake, and years of RV-ing together. They traveled all over the US & Canada, visiting with their sons and new daughters as well as the 8 grandkids. Dorothy’s life was filled with countless joys and memories that they captured in their travel journals, aptly named ORFS, Old Retired Folks .
However, it seems life was going too well and cancer had to bring her back to reality. Her eldest son and husband ultimately succumbed to complications & treatments associated with their battles with cancer. They will rest in peace with their savior at their side.
Although her memory was fleeting in her final years with the onset of Alzheimer’s, she shared moments of laughter and joy recollecting some of the family shenanigans. We all laughed and smiled.
‘Celebrate what you have with who you have... time is an impatient constant... those that have gone ahead of us are always surrounding us in spirit... they are blazing the trail ahead in a great beyond, awaiting our arrival so that our journey to meet them is a better-defined path’ - Anonymous
God Bless Dorothy A. Flentge
PS: In lieu of flowers, please make donations In Dorothy’s name to Three Oaks Hospice (Three Oaks Hospice, Inc., 717 N. Harwood Street, Suite 550, Dallas, Texas 75201) (https://www.threeoakshospice.com/foundation/)
Send correspondence to D. Flentge, 411 Meadow Ln, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
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