Dorlene B Couch (formerly Embree) beloved wife, mother, grandmother and “Greatma” received her wings on May 26, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. She was 83 years young when the cancer she had been battling for three years finally won. She is loved and treasured by many who will miss her dearly.
Dorlene was born in Osborne, Kansas on November 4, 1937 to Riley Nickel and Dorothy Coop Nickel.
She attended school in Osborne before moving to Longmont with her family. Dorlene attended Longmont High School graduating in 1955 while also working at the family restaurant, Riley’s Lunch. Two days after turning 18, she married Loren Embree and during her marriage she became a mother to Mark and Niki. They divorced in 1971.
During her years Dorlene always worked in a clerical position. She worked at several banks, the IBM Credit Union, Northern Colorado BOCES, Pratt Real Estate, Dave Taylor Ford, John Elway Dealership, and later Van Chevrolet in Kansas City.
From the late 70s to the mid-80s, Dorlene was involved with promoting sprint car races in Colorado and was one half owner of Raceland, a dirt track they built from the ground up in Denver, CO. The famous World of Outlaw races were something to see and she enjoyed every minute of promoting the sport in this area. Also during this time frame she lived in Cortez, CO and was involved with the ownership and operation of a Chrysler/Dodge dealership.
In 1991, Dorlene met Jerry Couch and the two were inseparable from that time forward. They relocated to Kansas City in December, 1999 due to his employment. What was meant to be a five-year move lasted the remainder of her life.
Dorlene always had a project or two going around the house. She was either painting a room, refinishing some piece of furniture, or keeping up with her flowers. She also loved spending time with her family, especially the great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry of Kansas City; her daughter Niki (Jerry) Weitzel of Longmont; a step-daughter Denise (Gary) Anderson of Fayetteville, AK; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren including Keren Weitzel and daughter Emersyn of Windsor; Sonja (Michael) O’Connor and sons Aidan and Kingston of Thornton; Lauren Embree and children Mia and Brody, and Riley (Brook) Embree, all of Anderson, SC; and Nikki Anderson of Washington DC. She is also survived by several brother and sister-in-laws as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved son, Mark Alan Embree, her brother Robert Nickel, and her sister Glenda Scovotti.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at Howe Mortuary in Longmont, CO. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in Dorlene’s name.
Please visit howemortuary.com to leave condolences.
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