In Memory of Dorothy Louise Armentrout

Dorothy Louise Armentrout was delivered February 13, 1940, by her father on a farm during a raging snowstorm. Dorothy was the daughter of John and Elda (Rothfolk) Barten. She grew up on a farm near Botna.

She met Richard Lee Armentrout via a mutual friend. He liked her immediately and got the courage to ask her out. They dated for two years before he asked for her hand in marriage.

They were wed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning, on July 3, 1963.

After their marriage, they lived in a farmhouse by Prairie Rose Lake for the grand price of 35 dollars per month. Richard worked for the Soil Conservation Service in Harlan while Dorothy taught elementary school. Richard and Dorothy were living in Hamlin when their son Bryan was born in 1967. Tanya followed in 1968 and Derek completed the family in 1970.

In 1972, the young family decided to take on a great adventure and moved out to Forest Grove, Oregon, where Richard worked for the Bureau of Reclamation on a project to build a hydroelectric dam. The dreary Oregon weather was not to their liking and Richard transferred to sunny Riverton, Wyoming, where they lived for 10 years. She proudly served as the Sunday School Superintendent for the Methodist Church in Riverton for three years. This however was not the end of their adventures as the family also lived in Alamosa, Colorado, and Cody, Wyoming, before Richard retired. During that time, Dorothy always kept busy working as a teacher or librarian. She even worked as a bank teller in Alamosa and in the Elections Department in Cody. She had a quick mind that allowed her to master any job she tackled. She made friends easily and was always ready to lend a hand.

After Richard's retirement, they eventually moved to Colorado to be close to family and her grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time with Alex and Emerson Purdy whom she loved dearly. Even in retirement, she loved her work and continued as a substitute teacher until the age of 75.

Dorothy was an exceptional baker, canner and seamstress who made a lot of her own clothes. She didn't have to, but what she made was often superior to that which could be bought. Her Christmas cookies and candies were a ritual to be savored every year. Dorothy loved to travel and had a sweet tooth that was unrivaled in the western world. She and Richard went to Germany for their 50th wedding anniversary. She loved flowers, crocheting, knitting, gardening, and kept her neighbors supplied with all the strawberries, peas and tomatoes they could possibly eat. Dorothy lived many places during her life and had many adventures. She has now returned home to Iowa.

Dorothy died on November 28, 2016, at her home in Lochbuie, Colorado, in the presence of her loving family, attaining the age of 76 years, nine months, and 15 days. In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her brothers, Roger Barten and Robert Barten.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Richard Armentrout of Lochbuie, Colorado; children Bryan Armentrout and his wife Beverly of Loveland, Colorado; Tanya Purdy of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Derek Armentrout and his wife Chamois of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren Alex and Emerson Purdy; sister Linda and her husband Steve Atkins of Cedar Rapids; son-in-law Pat Purdy; nieces and nephews; other family members and many friends.

A 10:30 AM funeral service was officiated by Pastor Ted Sieck on December 3, 2016, at the United Methodist Church in Irwin. Gary Barten, Douglas Barten, Dennis Barten, Kristi Siwajek, Kelly Medanic and Amber Wellman served as honorary casket bearers. Bryan Armentrout, Derek Armentrout, Patrick Purdy, Donny Armen-trout, Raymond Armentrout and Lyle Campbell served as casket bearers. Burial was held at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Irwin.

Pauley Jones Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.