Dorothy A. Bathel, age 92, of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at the Kadoka Nursing Home.
Graveside memorial services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 26, at the Midland Cemetery, with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating. A gathering at the Midland Senior Center will be held after the service.
Dorothy A. Finck was born February 11, 1932, in Spearfish, SD, the daughter of Albert and Hannah (Stotts) Finck. She grew up in the Okaton area, attending rural grade school and Murdo High School.
In 1948, while at a dance in Midland, Dorothy was introduced to a tall young man, Wallace “Babe” Bathel, who worked for a hay hauling crew out of Nebraska. Although initially un-impressed with “the hick in bib overalls,” she soon changed her mind and they were married in March of 1949, taking up residence in Midland. To this union four children were born, Carol, Albert “Butch”, Deanna and Donna. In 1956 they moved to Rapid City where Babe had a job with Buckingham Trucking.
Throughout the next 19 years, which included moves to Papillion, NE and Cheyenne, WY, Dorothy held down the fort while Babe was out trucking. After retirement they moved back to Rapid City, then Midland and finally Wasta, where Babe passed in 2008. Dorothy moved to the Senechal in Philip in 2013, then to the Kadoka Nursing Home in 2022, where she resided until the time of her death on October 12, 2024, at the age of 92.
Dorothy was a talented cook, seamstress, upholsterer, gardener and avid rockhound, passing along her talents to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her stubborn strength and salty nature will be greatly missed by those who loved her.
Survivors include her son, Butch (Cheryl) Bathel of Laurel, NE; daughter, Donna Morey of Philip; son-in-law, Danny Finn of Newell; eight grandchildren: Chris (Suzy) Bathel and Shawn Bathel, of Omaha, NE; Dawn (Jim) Herber of Kadoka; Becky (Wade) Nelson of Pierre; Shane (Melissa) Finn of Nisland; Shad (Jenna) Finn of Midland; Michelle Fitzler of Custer; Kari (Randy) Greenfield of Tomahawk, WI; 20 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Babe Bathel; her parents; infant siblings Duane and Doris Finck; daughter Carol Kobes and her husband Don; daughter Deanna Finn; grandson-in-law Dustin Fitzler; great-grandson Sam Bathel; and her mother and father-in-law Violet and Fredrick Bathel.
Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 43, Philip, SD 57567.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
