Dolores "Tatsy" Gorden

Dolores "Tatsy" Gorden , age 100 passed away August 29, 2024 in Helotes Texas. She was born on March 11, 1924, in Montgomery, Minnesota to Emil Franke and Mary Zaspel Franke. Tatsy had two sisters Helen and Ardelle, one brother Butch and was married for 63 years to her husband Donald Gorden who have all preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children Gail Williams, Patrick Gorden and wife Terry; grandchildren, Brittany Elliott and husband Joseph, Autumn Malia and husband Andrew and Tyler Gorden; great-grandchildren, Gavin Elliott, Dylan Elliott, Mason Elliott and Everette Malia.

Tatsy loved to recall her years growing up in a small town working and living on Main Street in the family owned, Franke’s Bakery, still in business after 110 years and for which the annual town festival, Kolacky Days, was created. After high school Tatsy became a registered nurse and traveled to California where she met and married Donald Gorden. On that same day in 1951 they received notice that Donald had been recalled into the Air Force. After three years in Alaska and a brief time in Georgia they were stationed at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio and later moved to Helotes in 1963. After retirement Tatsy and Don loved to play bridge and go dancing on the weekends which continued into their 90’s. She was also a member of the Altar Society and the exercise group at our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Helotes.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on September 20, 2024 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 13715 Riggs Road Helotes, Texas 78023. Interment will be private at Fort Sam Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Helotes in memory of Tatsy.