"We thank Dorothy for her years of service, and will remember her family in our prayers."
In loving memory of
Dorothy Fross
January 31, 2018
Dorothy Louise Fross, of Quincy, formerly of Clayton, died peacefully Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at 12:40 am in her home.
Dorothy was born September 22, 1922 in Palmyra, Missouri, the daughter of George Louis and Louisa Mary McVay Drebes. She married Ronald LeRoy Fross on January 1, 1953 in Zion Lutheran Church in Palmyra, Missouri. He preceded her in death on December 6, 2001.
Dorothy was baptized as an infant and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Palmyra in the spring of 1937. She attended Marion County Middle School and graduated from Palmyra High School in May of 1941. Dorothy was employed at the REA office in Palmyra when World War II began. In 1942, she moved to Washington D.C. where she served as a clerk and typist for the war effort at the Department of the Navy. In 1943, Dorothy went on to work in the office of Curtiss Wright Aircraft, located at Lambert Field in St. Louis, Missouri. While in St. Louis, she married Milton G. Schmidt, Jr. in Craig County, Arkansas in 1944.
Dorothy was also employed in the tabulating department at Gardner-Denver for six years. For over 48 years, Dorothy and Ronald lived in their home in Clayton, Illinois. She served as the Clayton Township Librarian for 18 years.
Dorothy enjoyed traveling, saying she felt it "Broadened your scope". She traveled to all 50 states, Canada and Mexico. When home, she liked trees, plants and spent endless hours working in the yard and garden, which she took great pride in. She also enjoyed reading, writing letters, playing piano and keyboard. A favorite artist was Scott Joplin and "Ragtime" music. The Drebes family reunion, to her, was one of the most important events of the year! She was a proud Missourian and a life-long Missouri Synod Lutheran. She was a member of St. James Lutheran church in Quincy. She enjoyed being with her three grandchildren, who always referred to her as "Grandma Dot".
Dorothy is survived by three children, Juanita Lee Schmidt of Sierra Vista, AZ, Rebecca Ann (David) Shackleton, of Quincy and Fort Myers, FL, and Lyndell Ray (Penny) Fross, of Quincy; and three grandchildren, Andrew (Lauren) Fross of Manchester, NH, Jaclyn (Matt) Mason of Seattle, WA, and Daniel Fross of Quincy; two nieces and one nephew, Carol (Fred) Keller-Michaelis of St. Louis, MO, Susie (Dale) Gosney of Palmyra, MO, and George A. (Ann) Keller of Palmyra, MO; two great-nieces; two great-nephews; and three great-great-nieces.
In addition to her husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Marguerite Keller.
Services: 10:30 am on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church in Palmyra, Missouri with Rev. Marlin Rempfer officiating.
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery, Palmyra, Missouri
Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
Memorials: St. James Lutheran School in Quincy or Zion Lutheran Church in Palmyra, Missouri
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"There are no words to make this better. But she is home and will always be with you"
"So sorry for your loss. Seems like I have known you guys forever. She had a long life but a person is never ready to let them go. Thinking of you in your time of loss."
"The family has our prayers at this time. Suzanne and Al Bonner"
"May all the wonderful memories be a comfort to you. I have many fond memories of staying all night at your house when we sere in high school. Such good times."