Dorothy S. Tuttle

Cheney, Greensburg-

Dorothy Signe Freeman Robinson Tuttle, 99, died February 17, 2018. She was born March 26, 1918 in Chicago, IL . The daughter of Carl and Signe Freeman, who immigrated from Åseda, Sweden. Signe died suddenly December 16, 1923. Carl had three children which he felt he was unable to care for adequately. The children were placed in an orphanage for about 9 months. The older children Margaret and Bert went to a farm in southern Wisconsin to live and work. Dorothy was sent to Los Angeles, California to be raised by her Aunt Ellen Freeman Seagren and Uncle Albin Seagren.

Ellen Freeman Seagren was Carl's older sister. She and Carl were both born in Småland, Sweden. Ellen came to the United States when she was about 23 years old. She married Albin Seagren December 16, 1916. Dorothy had 8 years to enjoy life with Albin and Ellen who had no other children, and was happy to refer to Ellen and Albin as "Mor and Far". They were an active family in the Lutheran Church and Swedish Vasa order. There were many Swedish families in the Los Angeles area and Ellen was responsible for many dinners held by the Swedish Vasa Order. Beautiful Swedish music and dancing brought them together. Albin taught Dorothy how to dance the Swedish schottische and Polka. Albin would shop with Dorothy for special gifts for Ellen, and she enjoyed this activity and keeping it a secret for a surprise for Ellen. Albin passed away August 29, 1932.

On her first day of school she misunderstood and thought she was to only go a half day. She tried to walk home on her own and got lost in the process. She ended up at the police station where she got ice cream while waiting on Ellen to pick her up. After that she learned the way home. She spoke only Swedish in the home and was told by the school she needed to speak more English.

Dorothy learned early that life is defined by accepting things you cannot control but to serve others with joy and be thankful for good friends. Ellen's example and Dorothy's eagerness to learn formed a person who touched lives positively. She worked for a family named Wheat while going to high school to help with the finances. She graduated from Los Angeles High School in February 1937. After graduation she got a job helping make greeting cards each evening. She also worked as an office secretary for Mr. Wheat, holding both jobs for a while as she proved herself in office work. Mr. Wheat closed his business in 1939. Dorothy then worked for a machine shop for a year.

In 1940 Dorothy met, dated then married Irvin Robinson in Los Angeles on November 22, 1940.

Irvin was called to the Army February 1941. To this union was born Sally Robinson July 17, 1943 who died at birth while Irvin was out of the country. In 1944 Irvin was stationed near Corvallis, Oregon and Dorothy was able to live there and work at Oregon State College as a bookkeeper and secretary. In March 1945 Dorothy moved back to Los Angeles when Irvin was deployed during World War II to Leyte where he died on April 15, 1945.

Winfred Tuttle came into Dorothy's life September 1945 as he was stationed in the Navy near Los Angeles. He was asked to meet Dorothy by his Great Aunt Ella Robinson.

Winfred was attracted to a beautiful woman whose mother Ellen could cook to draw a man home. Dorothy's friend Arline Erickson shared special times with her. Fay Konkle, Winfred's friend from Haviland, Kansas took Arline while Winfred took Dorothy to a concert by Xavier Cugat at the Hollywood Bowl. Winfred became engaged to Dorothy in November 1945. He was discharged from the Navy March 1946 and returned to his home in Haviland. Ellen and Dorothy came to Haviland in early May to meet the Tuttle family. Dorothy married Winfred Tuttle in Haviland May 26, 1946.

She made a dramatic change in her life by moving from Los Angeles to Central Kansas. Dorothy began her new life in a farm home with no refrigeration, electricity or indoor plumbing.

She was pregnant in March 1947 when Winfred took her back to Los Angeles to be with Ellen for the birth of Brenda April 17, 1947. Dorothy and Brenda flew back to Kansas when they were released by the doctor. Charles was born December 30, 1948 also at Methodist Hospital in Los Angeles.

Dorothy was thankful for Mabel Tuttle's friendship and guidance in learning to be a mother and a farmer's wife. Life on the farm was a financial struggle at times. Dorothy learned to do farm work but felt she could help more financially when Brenda and Charles were old enough to go to school. She worked at several jobs but found a good career at the SRS office in Greensburg in 1958 where she worked for 12 years.

In 1970 Winfred had a large farm and ranching corporation and Dorothy stayed on the farm to help with accounting, and running errands for parts and supplies, and to provide meals for the farm hands.

In 1976 the farm corporation was sold and Dorothy returned to the SRS office until she retired with a total of 20 years of service in 1983.

She was active in several clubs and organizations in Greensburg and Haviland. Member of OES, Alpha Study and Social Club, Hour Club, Prairie Sunflower Club, Past Worthy Matrons Club. Member of the United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women, VFW Auxiliary, Business and Professional Women, Kiowa County Hospital Auxiliary, American Red Cross, Cannonball Golf Club, and bowling on teams in Greensburg, Pratt and Dodge City. She enjoyed playing cards and board games.

She and Winfred took a cruise out of Florida, train tours and a road trip through the Northwest.

In 1978 Ellen Seagren moved from California to Kansas at the age of 95 to live with Winfred and Dorothy in Greensburg. She lived with them for 2 years before moving to the nursing home in 1981.

Dorothy hosted a 100th birthday celebration for Ellen on August 5, 1983. Ellen passed away December 15, 1983.

In 1992 Dorothy and her cousin Alma McKissick traveled to Sweden to visit her parents home at Danstorp and meet her family and cousins. It was the trip of a lifetime.

Winfred became ill with COPD which reduced their travels and freedoms of retirement in 1999. Dorothy worked hard to accommodate Winfred's illness and he passed away June 4, 2001.

May 4, 2007 Dorothy lost her home in the Greensburg tornado and subsequently moved to Cheney, Kansas to be closer to her children. She dearly missed the friends and family that were forced to relocate after the tornado.

She lived in Cheney for another 10 years and made numerous friends and participated in bowling, United Methodist Women, Charming Chums, Friends and Neighbors and the Senior Center.

Survived by: children, Brenda Broadhead (Jim), Wichita and Charles Tuttle (Jennifer), Lawrence. Grandchildren Ken Broadhead (Julie), Ankeny, IA; Brigitte Baggs(Eric), Wichita; Erin Tuttle, Reno, NV; Eric Broadhead( Leslie), Oklahoma City, OK; Jana Tuttle (Chad), Lawrence; Teresa McClure( Miles) Wichita.

Great-grandchildren: Lindsey, Landon, Lydia Broadhead; Lauren, Kendall Baggs; Ella, Connor Broadhead. and many nieces and nephews. Cousin Åke Friman and children Alf and Jan Friman, Växjö, Sweden.

Celebration of Life services will be held 2:00pm, Sunday March 18, 2018, at the Cheney United Methodist Church, Cheney, with reception following.

Memorials are suggested to the Greensburg United Methodist Church or Cheney United Methodist Church. Share tributes online at www.mem.com.