Dorothy (Dee) Luth, 92, of Sheridan, Wyoming, died Monday, April 15, 2013 at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.

Dee was born in Alamosa, Colorado February 25, 1921 to A. G. and Rebecca (Reba) Stegman. She attended schools in Pueblo and Colorado Springs, Colorado. After the divorce of her parents, she and her mother moved to Colorado Springs; it was at this time that her mother met and married Vern W. Needham, who was a loving and giving stepfather. She moved with them to Sheridan where she graduated from Sheridan High School in 1938. She attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana and graduated from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1944 and again in 1945 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

Dee began her veterinary practice in Los Angeles before moving back to Sheridan, Wyoming. Dee opened a vet clinic in Sheridan on Big Horn Avenue just slightly catty-corner from the Sheridan Manor. She was the first woman veterinarian licensed in the State of Wyoming.

In the course of her veterinary practice, she met and married Pass Creek rancher Fred Luth on June 16, 1947. They lived on the Luth Ranch on Taffner Creek for several years prior to moving to the X-X Ranch where she lived until 2008 when she moved to Sheridan. Dee lived in the Pass Creek area for 60+ years.

Dee was active in all aspects of the community of Pass Creek/Parkman. She raised a HUGE garden and shared it with friends and family. She was a wonderful wife, mother, friend, gardener, vet, 4-H leader, member of Farm Bureau, and Parkman Promoters Women's Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband Fred in March of 2004, and her mother and stepfather, Reba and Vern Needham.

Dee is survived by her daughters, Gay Hale, and Linda (Frank) Shurter, all of Sheridan, WY; her granddaughter Tamara (Brian) Davidson, her grandson Gene (Stacey) Hale, also of Sheridan, WY; and four great grandsons; her niece, Diana Schunk Nelson, of Phoenix, AZ; and nephew, Dr. Peter (Diane) Schunk, of Colorado Springs, CO; her cousin, Nadine (Chas) Raffelson, of Cheyenne, WY; and many close friends she considers family.

A private family service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.

Memorials to honor Dee may be made to the Sheridan Dog and Cat Shelter, 84 East Ridge Road, Sheridan, of the Sheridan Senior Center, 201 Smith Stdreet, Sheridan, WY 82801.

SheridanMedia.com - April 16, 2013.