Obituary of Dorothy Ollenberger

Dorothy was born in Prairie Echo, Alberta to Eugene and Marie Yandeau on May 26, 1943. She was the youngest of three daughters and a son. The family moved to Dawson Creek in 1950. Dorothy started working at a young age at the Chicken Inn on Alaska Avenue and had many stories to tell from there. She enjoyed being a waitress at the Travel Lodge for many years and later at the George Dawson Inn. Dorothy met John Deter and got married in the early 1960's. They had four children, Lance, Tina, Vincent and Darla. She suffered a devastating loss of her son Vincent when he was very young, but the rest of the kids kept her busy. Family was important with many trips to Chetwynd, Cherry Point and in Dawson Creek visiting with cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, sisters and friends. These brought many laughs over the years reminiscing and telling stories on each other. In 1979 Dorothy moved south living in Kamloops and Abbotsford, returning to Dawson in 1986. She loved people and had to have fun. Dancing helped give her the "great legs" everyone said she had. Country music was her favourite. She took pride in where she lived, always having a "feature wall" whether it be pictures of family, an oak wall or a wall made of mirrors. She loved her children more than anything. In 1993 Dorothy retired from waitressing and in 1994 she married Wayne Ollenberger. Wayne bought her a puppy she called Shadow who was her daily companion. Together she and Wayne enjoyed camping, sitting by the backyard fire pit, and family B.B.Q.'s. Mexico and Germany were a highlight for them both. The last 4 years were hard for Dorothy because of health issues but also brought a softening to her life that hadn't been there before. She enjoyed going to church with Bob and Tina and her many coffee "chats" with her friends at McDonalds. She met new friends and looked forward to her lunches with the Red Hat Ladies. Dorothy was predeceased by her father Eugene Yandeau, mother Marie Yandeau, her brother Tommy Yandeau, son Vincent Deter and husband Wayne Ollenberger. She leaves to mourn her sister Eileen White, Sister Jean (Ed) Fredrickson, son Lance Deter, daughter Tina (Bob) Carter, daughter Darla Deter, stepson Gord Ollenberger, stepdaughter Debbie (Paul) Garrison, grandchildren Chris, Daniell, Melanie, Jason, Justin, Tristen, Logan, Tylor, Nathasha, and many neices and nephews. Dorothy was a dear friend to me for many years. She was a great lady to work with and a lot of fun. Till we meet again, my friend, God Bless and I love you. Eulogy presented by: Doreen Meerman A memorial service was held on Friday, March 7th, 2008 at 2:00 pm from Reynars Funeral Chapel. Pastor Richard Kelly officiated. Interment was held in the City Cemetery. Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium, Dawson Creek, B.C.