Eileen Dovel

Mary Lois Eileen Dovel, 93, died August 19, 2023, at Sunrise Assisted Living in Westminster, CO. Eileen was born on January 3, 1930, at her grandparents’ home outside of Burdette, KS, to her parents’ Pauline Nolde Wittig and George Wittig. She was the second child of seven siblings.

As a child, she would help her mother around the house and lend her father a helping hand moving the cows from the pasture into the barn to be milked. Eileen learned to play the violin and the piano while at the country school. She married Ralph Dovel, July 13, 1946, after he returned home from World War II after proudly serving in France. They had their four children in Kansas, and later moved to Cheyenne, WY, in search of a better paying job, in order to raise their family. Eileen went to work at the Carpenter’s Union, a job which she really enjoyed. After a few years, they moved their family to Denver, CO. Around 1962, they bought a house in Arvada, CO. She went to work at a local lumber company, then she began employment at the Gold Bond Stamp Store, and a few years later she worked for Samsonite. Around 1963, she discovered Contract Bridge. She loved the game, and eventually became a Silver Life Master in 2011, an accomplishment we were all very proud of. She would discuss and rehash a played hand to all of her children who knew nothing about bridge, until she was satisfied with how she played the hand. In 1966, Eileen decided to go to cosmetology school with her oldest daughter, Sherry. After she graduated, she became a manager for the May D & F Beauty Salon, another job which she enjoyed.

From the time Eileen was a teenager, she always wore makeup, fixed her hair and she did her nails. She never left the house without looking fantastic. Eileen was well known for making many bierocks, cinnamon rolls, a specialty German dish and corn beef and cabbage, cooking for family, friends, and the American Legion and the Elks. She loved spending time with her children and their friends, watching movies, going out to eat, collecting and reading cookbooks, going to garage sales and thrifting. She was especially fond of spending time with her grandchildren, where they did many fun activities together. She was very creative in many endeavors, such as painting, and she even made clothing for all of her children and Ra. She would see a dress, coat or outfit and draw her own patterns making wedding dresses for her two younger sisters and later for her daughter. She reupholstered furniture and she made and decorated wedding and birthday cakes for family and friends.

Ralph and Eileen enjoyed camping and trout fishing in Colorado, and salmon fishing and digging for clams in Washington State. They spent a great deal socializing, camping, playing horseshoes, and doing activities with the American Legion, Post 22, the Northglenn Elks, the Moose and the VFW with their many friends. They both did countless hours doing volunteer work for all the organizations they belonged to. Eileen worked Bingo for over twenty years for the Elks and made many lifelong friends. They enjoyed these activities until Ralph passed away after a long, loving marriage.

Ralph, Eileen’s husband of 54 years, her parents Pauline and George Wittig, her sisters Billy Waterhouse and Betty Valastro preceded her in death. Eileen is survived by siblings Gerald Wittig, Mesa, AZ, Clyde Wittig, Boulder, CO, June Pottoroff, Stratton, CO, and Shirley Kyle, Flagler, CO. Eileen is survived by daughter Sherry Andreen, Westminster, CO, son Barry Dovel, (Judy), Billings, MT, daughter Georgia Dovel, Mesa, AZ, Rocky Dovel, (Jana), Northglenn, CO. Over the years Eileen developed close, loving friendships with Roni Chavez and Wendy Kleire. Roni was Eileen’s caretaker and confidant for over three years, prior to Eileen moving into Sunrise Assisted Living, and Wendy Kleier, who loved and looked at Eileen as her mother. Wendy loved and cared for Eileen in many ways. Eileen loved them both as her own daughters.

While at Sunrise, mom made many friends with the residents and staff, and loved all of them. A special friend she had was Doc, (Howard Long). They had a warm relationship in which they shared many stories from their pasts and spent countless hours together because they had a lot in common.

After the passing of her husband Ralph, Eileen began a relationship with Dale Fredrickson which lasted for thirteen years. They traveled, went to the casinos together, and planted gardens with many types of tomatoes which they shared with everyone. They enjoyed one another’s families, blending them into one big family, hosting many Bloody Mary brunches. They enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, drinking their morning coffee and watching old black and white westerns together. After Dale passed away, Eileen eventually moved to Sunrise Assisted Living where she resided for one year, until she passed away after a short illness with her former daughter-in-law Patty Duran and nephew, Kelly Carroll holding her hands and reading scripture to her. She was eager to be reunited with her departed loved ones and to begin her new journey.