Dorothy Emma (Schmidt) Almquist, 100, La Crosse, Kansas, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, Larned, Kansas.
Dorothy was born March 1, 1924, in rural McCracken, Kansas, the daughter of John Frederick and Mollie (Rein) Schmidt. Her parents died when she was very young, and Dorothy and her brothers, Raymond John Schmidt, and Paul Michael Schmidt, were raised by their grandmother, Susanna Schmidt, as well as her Uncle Bill and Aunt Regina. Dorothy attended a one room schoolhouse known as Brown School, District #2, north of Hargrave, from 1st through 8th grade. Dorothy was the salutatorian of the La Crosse Rural High School class of 1941. She graduated from Salt City Business College, Hutchinson, Kansas, with a secretarial degree, and was employed at Kansas Power Company, Great Bend, Kansas, for four years.
Dorothy’s adventurous spirit led her to Portland, Oregon in 1946. While there, she enjoyed her professional career as a legal secretary and spending time outdoors snow skiing and going to the beach. She had 12 years of many fond memories of enjoying life with friends.
During a visit back home to Kansas, a reconnection with a childhood acquaintance turned into a courtship. On November 8, 1958, she married Arthur “Kenneth” Almquist at Zion Lutheran Church, Portland, Oregon. They returned to Kansas where they made their home for over 50 years before Kenneth’s death October 4, 2009.
Dorothy was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church, rural Alexander, Kansas. She was a member of First Lutheran Church, WELCA, Sixty Plus Club, and VFW Post #9076 Auxiliary, all of La Crosse. She was also involved in the election board, blood bank, Rush County Food Bank, and delivered Meals on Wheels.
Dorothy loved her home and took great pride in taking care of it. She made her home a treasured gathering place for friends and family.
Survivors include: one son, Brent Almquist of Clinton, Oklahoma; one daughter, Diane (Ken) Albin of Austin, Texas; three grandchildren, Clay Almquist of Clinton, Oklahoma, Katherine (Quinlan) Albin Koch of Red Wing, Minnesota, and Emma Albin of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two great grandchildren, Zayden Almquist and Zianna Almquist, both of Clinton, Oklahoma; three nephews, Danny (Debbie) Schmidt, Greg (Dawn) Schmidt, Gary (Karen) Schmidt, and their families; and cousin, Dave (Marietta) Wilson and family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; an infant daughter, Sue Ann Almquist; her daughter-in-law, Virginia Gail Almquist; one grandson, Charlie Dale Almquist; two brothers and sister-in-law, Raymond John Schmidt, and Paul Michael Schmidt and wife Jeanie; two nephews Dennis Schmidt and Donald Schmidt; and an infant half-sister.
Visitation will be Wednesday, September 25, 2024, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Church visitation will be Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 9:00 A.M. to 9:50 A.M. at the First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Kansas.
Funeral service will be Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. at the First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with Pastor Phyllis Burdge officiating. Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas.
Dorothy’s family would like to give a special thank you to the staff of Pawnee Value Community Hospital for the compassionate care she received over the past 3 months.
In lieu of flowers or plants, the family request memorials to the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Foundation, Larned, Kansas, or the First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Kansas.
Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.