DOTTIE BELL BOTTORFF

(1924-2011)

Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home

Dottie Bell Bottorff, 87, of Richland, WA, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at the Life Care Center of Kennewick. She was born near Hudson, Kansas, on February 3, 1924, to Louis and Bertha Mae Mills Eggebrecht. Her childhood years were spent in the St. John-Stafford, Kansas area. She lived through the Great Depression and the Dustbowl period during which the dust was so thick that a rope had to be strung from the house to the barn to avoid getting lost.

In 1938, the Eggebrecht family moved to Freewater, OR, where she graduated from McLoughlin High School in 1942. It was there that she met Fred O. Bottorff, a friend of her brother's, who became the love of her life. They married on May 16, 1942, shortly before Fred left for service in the U.S. Army during WWII.

In 1957, the family moved to Prosser, WA, where she resided for 37 years. Dottie worked side by side with Fred to raise pigs for the children's FFA and 4-H projects, raise nursery stock and a small apple orchard. She was an excellent seamstress and taught her daughters the art of sewing as well. Her skill and creativity can be seen in the many quilts she created. Dottie was always involved in a craft project of some kind and her garden was always a beautiful sight to behold.

Dottie moved to Richland in 1994. Her craft projects kept her busy, and she also traveled regularly to Milton-Freewater, OR, to spend time with her friends from high school to visit, play cards, and pick huckleberries. She never missed a reunion with the Mac-Hi Class of '42.

Dottie is survived by her son, Jim Bottorff of Post Falls, ID; two daughters, Marilyn Steele of Richland, WA; Mitzi Gilbert (Mike) of Yakima, WA; and her son-in-law Frank Clemence of Mill Creek, WA. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren, and their spouses: Jim Bottorff, Jr. (Tina), Patrick Bottorff (Mary), Stacey Bottorff, Alicia Hooper Kinzer (Bob), Ben Hooper, Dory Hooper, and Pamela BuckGilbert. She was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren: Ashley, Bryson, Kelsey, Amber, Bodie, Brady, Wyatt, Nalisa, Kyle, Melia, and Sebastian. Many nieces and nephews of whom she was very fond also survive her. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Fred, her daughter Patricia Jean Clemence, her brother Donald Eggebrecht, and her sister Mary Eggebrecht Jeffs.

In honor of her wishes, Mom will be cremated and there will be no public services at this time. Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home of Kennewick, WA, is in charge of the arrangements. A memorial service for friends and family will be held at a later date to celebrate her life. She will be missed.

The family invites you to sign their online guestbook at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.