Dorothy J. Ruprecht-Crowley

On the afternoon of July 2nd, 2016 Dottie Ruprecht Crowley died peacefully surrounded by her family at Tulsa Jewish Retirement Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She fought a long battle with Alzheimer's. Dottie was 84 years old.

Dorothy Jean Bett was born April 3rd, 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the second child and only daughter of her British-born parents, Amelia Dorothy and Frederick Stuart Bett.

Dottie graduated from Normandy High School, St. Louis, Missouri in 1950. While attending Normandy High School, Dottie was voted most popular in her class. She excelled in all classes, but especially in sports. Not only was she captain of the field hockey team, she was captain of the basketball and the softball team as well. Her senior year she was crowned Normandy “Saga Queen of love and beauty.”

Her first job was at Wagner Electric where she made many friends. She led the Wagner Electric Corporate Team to become the 1951 Softball Champs. This is where she worked with Gena Fish and they became everlasting friends. Gena was Dottie’s Maid of Honor in both of her weddings.

Dottie married Ed Ruprecht in 1955 and moved into their first home in Grantwood Village. Dottie lived at #4 Zinzer Court for 52 years. She and Ed loved to travel and were members at Sunset Country Club. Taking after her father, a golfer from St. Andrews, Scotland, Dottie loved golf and was proud to have hit a hole in one in her lifetime. Dottie and Ed had four children, Eddie, Linda, Bill and Cindy. Some of Dottie’s favorite family gatherings included riding horses, swimming, and hot air ballooning at the Circle R Ranch. Many fun memories were created at the Ranch between Dottie and her sister-in-law, Gloria and her best friend Jackie Stockhausen. Dottie was so loved by all her nieces, nephews and cousins, and the neighborhood kids who called her Mrs. R. She was like a mom to all of them.

She was a member of Concord Trinity United Methodist church for over 40 years. Dottie enjoyed singing in the choir and later played in the hand bell choir. She worked at Universal Printing Company for many years and retired at the age of 63.

Years later after Ed had passed away, Dottie married Robert “Bob” Crowley in 1996 after reconnecting at a Normandy High School Reunion. They enjoyed music and traveling together with the AMICA musical instrument group. She loved to sing, dance and play the piano, and was even nicknamed “Dancing Dottie.” She and Bob have a combined family of 6 children, 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

During Dottie’s 79th birthday party in St. Louis, she and her good childhood friend, Rita (Murphy) Milke, had so many great stories to share with the family; it was the last time these two good friends enjoyed each other’s company face to face, though they have continued to correspond. Gena and Jackie also attended this party and shared many fun stories.

Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Millie Bett, her brother, Douglas Bett, her first husband Edward Charles Ruprecht Jr. and her eldest son Edward Charles Ruprecht III.

Dottie is survived by her loving husband, Bob Crowley of St. Charles, MO and her three children, Linda Woodard of Tulsa, OK, Bill Ruprecht of Galena, MO, and Cynthia Ruprecht of Eureka, MO. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jennifer Woodard of Washington DC, Robbie Woodard, Ryan (Hailey) Woodard, and Ross Woodard all of Tulsa, OK, Ed Ruprecht and Luke Ruprecht of Eureka, MO. Other family members include her sister-in-law, Gloria Ruprecht, nephews, John (Pat) Rhea, Joe (Debbie) Parente, Doug Bett and son-in-law, Daryl Woodard.

Dorothy was welcomed into the Crowley family by Robbie (Tim) Schuler, and Mick (Julie) Crowley. Grandchildren, Chris (Amanda) Cruse, Sydney Schuler, Austin Schuler, Riane (Alex) Decker, Spenser Crowley, Max Crowley. Great grandchildren, Olivia Cruse, Mason Cruse, Lockland Decker, and Silas Decker.

Dottie’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the Tulsa Jewish Retirement Center for the outstanding care, love and comfort they provided to Dottie, as well as Peggy, Amy, Rose, Beryl and Michelle, the Visiting Angels and the doctors and nurses who were all devoted to her care and became so close to her. Dottie continued to touch many lives on her journey. The family especially wants to thank Linda Pettingill for the companionship, love and care she has given to Dottie over the last eight years. Linda brought much laughter and joy to Dottie’s life and they became “best friends.” You were such a blessing to her and to us and we couldn’t imagine Dottie’s life without you.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 15, 2016 at 3:00 pm at Concord Trinity United Methodist Church in St. Louis, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to The Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or the charity of your choice.