Dorothy Elizabeth Upchurch

Dorothy Elizabeth Upchurch (Roucka) passed away 30 June 2022 at the age of 94. She was surrounded by two of her three sons. John and Jeff, Jeff’s wife Debbie, and Dorothy’s friend Bill Hall. Dorothy (or Dot/Dottie to her friends) was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Charles and Elizabeth Roucka on 30 August 1927. She attended Washington University in St. Louis and earned her degree in Primary Education in 1949. Dorothy married Gail L. Upchurch on 19 November 1949 in St. Louis . She reinvented herself numerous times in her life having worked as an elementary school teacher, stay-at-home mom, office clerk, office manager and a mathematics textbook editor. Dorothy enjoyed traveling the country with her family, first by car and later by plane. She enjoyed horseback riding and was a regular camper. She even took several week-long horseback pack trips in Colorado and Wyoming. She took up golf, fishing and snow skiing in the 1970s. She had to give up skiing after a broken leg, but she and Gail continued as avid golfers and fishermen. She made regular fishing trips to the White River in Southwest Missouri for trout fishing and made a dream fishing trip to Ontario, Canada, where she bested all the men on the trip by catching the largest fish of the group. At home she continued to be active with her Phi Mu Sorority and organizing various groups. This included the Christ Memorial Lutheran Church Bridge and Pinochle groups, Crestwood Lanes Ladies Bowling Team, and Tower Tee Ladies Golf Club. Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents and Gail. She is survived by her children James, John (and Yvonne) and Jeff (and Debbie), and her grandchildren Garrett, Hannah, Colin and Bailey. Visitation will be held at Kutis Funeral Home, 10151 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, Missouri on 14 July followed by a funeral service at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church on 15 July and burial, with Gail at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. All dates to be confirmed. The family wishes to thank the staff of Aarondale Senior Living Center for the loving care they provided for Mom since 2019. Donations in Dorothy’s name may be made to Christ Memorial Lutheran Church or Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis.