Lois Ethel Dortch

Lois was born on June 15, 1920 in Shenandoah, Iowa to Edwin Armstrong Blank and Ethel Ashton Byers. She grew up on a farm in Morton Township, Iowa, with her siblings Ernest, Mildred, Kenneth, Ralph, and Lowell. She attended grade school in Coin Iowa, and then high school in Shenandoah, Page County, where she was very active in the 4-H Club and won the 4-H Health Championship. During high school Lois worked at the 5 & Dime Store and for Page County, mapping for crop insurance.

Lois met Lyle McNulty at the roller skating rink in Clarinda, Iowa. They married in 1939, in Coin, Iowa and went on to have two girls: Patricia Louse (1941) and Michaele Elaine (1943). Lois and the girls moved to Clarinda when Lyle was drafted into WWII. In 1949, they moved to Denver, Colorado where Lois stayed at home and made drapes and upholstered furniture.

In 1965, Lois married Willis Kelly Dortch in Denver, Colorado. She then worked for Montgomery Wards in the Drapery Department. After retiring in 1983, they moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Lois was very talented at painting, sewing, and taught a quilting class at the Paradise Valley Community Center. She also enjoyed attending Echo Mountain Church.

Lois was preceded by her parents and her siblings, along with Lyle and Willis.

Lois is survived by her two daughters; Patricia Yerkey and Michaele Pehlman. Grandchildren; Russell, Paul, Rhonda and Gregory (Lynette) Painter, Peggy Ferrin, Cynthia (Larry) Gilderoy, Ronald Pehlman. Great Grandchildren; Chris Collins, Ariel (Rory) Bean, Kenny Painter, Kristy Mulnix, Nicholas and Eric Ferrin, Geoffrey and Kimberly Gilderoy, Ethan Preciado. Great Great Grandchild; Noah Mulnix.

Graveside service will be held Sunday January 9th, 2:00pm at Phoenix Memorial Cemetery. Reception to follow at Echo Mountain Church.