Dorothy Elizabeth (Gordon) Reed

Dorothy Elizabeth (Gordon) Reed, 93, formerly of El Dorado Springs, was born on the family farm on Horse Creek on Nov. 19, 1915, to John Bert and Sadie May Gordon. She passed away at her home in Burden, KS, on June 18, 2009.

Dorothy’s mother died in 1918. In 1919 her father married Lois Curtis. Dorothy grew up on the farm and attended Gordon School. In 1938 she went to Green River, WY, to work for the Union Pacific Railroad. There, she met and married Alfred Reed in 1939. In 1943 they moved to California and worked at Richmond #2. She was the first female journeyman welder to work on ships on the docks.

She and Al lived in several states after World War II. After 23 years in Yreka, CA, they and their daughter, Lacy Elizabeth, moved to Missouri in 1976 and lived in Stockton. In 1999 they moved to Kansas for Al’s health. Al died in December of 2000.

Dorothy loved young folks and worked with 4-H and the Girl Scouts. She loved to hand stitch quilts and knit afghans.
Her favorite songs were Give Me A Star and I Learned To Pray. Her favorite charities were the Disabled Veterans and the Salvation Army.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her step-mother; her husband, Al; four brothers – Lester, Russell, Bertie and John; and two sisters, Flossie and Alice.

Survivors include: her daughter, Lacy Lovewell, and husband, Sonny – Cambridge, KS; one grandson, Jonathon Clawson, and wife, Sarah; two great-granddaughters, Mariah and Piper; and two sisters, Donnie Reynolds and Mabel Gordon.
Graveside services were held at Mound Cemetery south of El Dorado Springs on June 22, with Jess Reynolds and Steve Counts officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home – El Dorado Springs.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care of Kansas or the Salvation Army.