A memorial service for Dorothy Bodine will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April, 25, 2011 at Blanche Beck Memorial Chapel in Pioneer Manor.

Dorothy Mae (Parker) Bodine, age 97, Of Gillette, Wyoming passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home of natural causes.

Dorothy Bodine was born “at home” in Big Horn, Wyoming in 1914. A midwife assisted her mother, Jenny Parker. Her father, Richard (Dick) Parker welcomed another girl to the already large family: two girls, Zelma and Alma, and two boys. James and Joseph. Katherine, another daughter would be born later.

Dorothy’s ninety-seven years of life were typical of 20th century Wyoming farm and town life. Traditionally, farmer’s children were not only additions to the dining table, but also additions to the work force. Beginning at an early age, Dorothy Mae performed her share of the tasks: each morning and evening she ran the separator in the cow barn’s dairy room: she also helped in the kitchen, where, in the summer, preparation began at 3:00 am in anticipation of a 6:00 am breakfast. Field and barn workers would have already worked for several hours and expected a full meal; not only cereal, bacon, eggs and toast but also hot biscuits, fried chicken or pork chops, gravy and always pie. In her childhood kitchen: coal/wood stove, no refrigeration, few kitchen tools, and no processed foods, she developed the basic skills that would later lead to her reputation as “one of the best cooks in the county.”

Dorothy attended the Big Horn School until she was old enough for high school. In the late twenties, Big Horn young people attended high school “in town” at Sheridan High School from which she graduated in 1932.

It was while Dorothy was a senior in high school that she met the man, Harry Bodine, whom she would devotedly care for and love for the rest of his life. Harry Bodine grew up on a farm near Bismark, Illinois, where he had graduated from high school the year before. He was “tired of picking corn,” and since it was the core of the depression, there were no other jobs; he migrated to Wyoming looking for work. He became a hired hand on the Moore Ranch in Big Horn. Harry and Dorothy met at young people’s social activities, which were primarily centered at the local Methodist Church. Soon Harry was calling on Dorothy at the Parker’s farm. And when her siblings started teasing about marriage, her father interjected, “There is no one in this house old enough to be married.” Usually, Dick Parker’s children obeyed him, but Dorothy’s love was stronger than her devotion to her father. She and Harry eloped in July 1932. They were married in Hardin, Montana with Joe and Alma Parker as their witnesses. Their sixty-four year partnership was devoted to their children and the community of Sheridan Wyoming where they established their home. Two children, Bethel and Ronald Bodine were born in the 1930s. Karen and Karol Bodine, twins, were born in 1950. Consequently, Dorothy was active in the Brownie and Girl Scouts, Jobs Daughters, and PTAs. She frequently cooked special before-game dinners for Sheridan High School’s Varsity Football and Basketball Teams.

Dorothy was an active member of the Daughter’s of the Nile, attending Supreme Meetings in Hawaii and Vancouver. She was a member of the Sheridan Junior Women’s Club. When Junior members reached the age of 35 they were required to move on to the senior c lub. Instead, Dorothy and 29 others decided to form their own service club, Akcita Win (Indian for “Women’s Club). She was often the hamburger cook at the Akcita Win stand at the Sheridan, Wyoming Rodeo. She was a serious bridge player bringing home winnings from several clubs.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Bodine, her son, Ronald Bodine, her daughter, Karen Schmill and her great grandson, Nicholas Potter.

She is survived by two daughters, Bethel Bodine of El Cerrito, CA, and Karol Tinken of Gillette WY. She is survived by five grandchildren, William Bodine, of Sterling, CO, Pamela Reichert of Torrington, WY, Allison Schmill of St. Paul, MN, Brooke Schmill of Berkeley, CA and Stacey Skinner of Gillette, WY. She is also survived by four great grandsons, Jordan and Preston Potter of Gillette, WY and Josh and Ryan Reichert of Torrington, WY.

Memorials may be sent to the First Methodist Church in Sheridan, Wyoming. Donations and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.

The Sheridan Press - April 21, 2011.