May 20, 1934 – January 15, 2021
Dorothy was born in Verdon, NE, to John and Helen Vaughn during the Great Depression. John and Helen divorced in 1938. John enlisted in the Navy, and Helen found work in Omaha. Dorothy and her younger sister, Norma Ann, went to live with their grandmother in Falls City, NE. Dorothy graduated from Falls City High School in 1952.
Directly after graduation, Dorothy and Norma were brought to Kansas City, MO, and were adopted by Helen’s new husband, William H. Wymore. Dorothy got a job at Liberty Mutual Insurance downtown in the Lathrop Building. She met many friends there, and also joined The Skyliners’ Club for tall people. Dorothy was the shortest member at 5 feet, 10 inches, and she met her husband-to-be, Raymond Curtis Kline, the tallest member of the club at 6 foot, 7 inches.
They fell in love and were married on October 1, 1955 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church at 11th Street and Prospect. That same day, Dorothy became a Roman Catholic after growing up Presbyterian. They bought a house in the new Ruskin Heights area in Hickman Mills. On Dorothy’s 23rd birthday, 1957, the Ruskin Heights tornado nearly destroyed their home. After enduring the terror of that day, Dorothy and Ray, with their baby daughter, Karen Ann, born November 14, 1958, relocated to Raytown, MO. Their son, Randall Irving, came December 22, 1961.
Dorothy began volunteering as a Teacher’s Aide and School Secretary when both children were enrolled at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. As her children continued their educations in the Raytown Public School District, Dorothy continued to volunteer in Southwood Elementary School with Special Needs children and as a Teacher’s Aide in the Learning Disabilities room. She wrote and illustrated stories containing selected vocabulary words for the Learning Disabilities Department that were used for many years as teaching tools. With much encouragement from the school and district staff, Dorothy continued her education and received an Associate of Arts degree at Longview Community College. She was now able to be a paid substitute teacher, which she enjoyed immensely for many years. She also had a small side business of painting the glass of framed invitations and announcements. She painted unique works of art including bouquets of flowers and in the colors requested by the purchaser. Many friends and family members have these beautiful works of hand-made art, now quite special since no more will be created by her.
Dorothy always had a lovely Soprano singing voice, and took formal voice lessons in high school and in college. She enjoyed singing in many church choirs including Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, St. Bernadette Catholic Church, and Southview Baptist Church in Raytown, MO. She was also section leader of The Declarations of Independence, a civic chorus in Independence, MO, and was in The Raytown Civic Chorus for several years. As Dorothy’s hearing began to fail in her 70’s and 80’s, she sang less. She attributed her hearing loss to Scarlet Fever she had when she was in grade school.
Dorothy spent nearly 64 years married to her beloved Ray. They were able to travel to many cities including Honolulu, HI; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Boston, MA; Atlanta, GA; and Chicago, IL. They entertained many friends and family members in their home over the years with dinners and conversation.
Dorothy leaves behind both children: Karen Kline Elsloo, married to Jeffrey L. Elsloo; and Randy Kline, married to Cassandra M. Clyma Kline, and their daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Kline. There are many friends and family members she was eager to see again in her journey back to Heaven.
After Ray Kline passed away in 2019, she was never the same without her partner and true love. She chose a solitary life in their home of 52 years in prayer and contemplation.
The family wishes to thank the Staff at St. Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit, MO, and the Staff at St. Luke’s Hospice House, in Kansas City, MO, for the great care and help with Mom’s transition to her next life with Dad.
Instead of flowers, please send donations in Dorothy’s name to the Bishop Sullivan Center, 816-231-0984 or [email protected].
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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