Dorothy "Dottie" Kirchner Obituary (1933 - 2024)

Dorothy “Dottie” J. Kirchner, 90, of Bloomington, IL, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Martin Health Care Center, Bloomington. A graveside service will be held at a later date in Keokuk, Iowa. In memory of Dottie’s late husband, Paul, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com. Dottie was born August 27, 1933 in Brighton, IA, daughter of Joseph and Harriet Todd Christy. She married Paul Henry Kirchner on September 23, 1951. Paul preceded her in death on February 23, 2009. She was also preceded in death by her older sister, Joann Herbert and her younger brother, Daniel. Surviving are five children, Scott (Alita) Kirchner, Rogers, MN, Kelly (Joe) Muldoon, Chanhassen, MN, Stephanie (David) Newbatt, Aberdeen, Scotland, Todd (Lori Stewart) Kirchner, Shoreview, MN, and Polly (Warren) Blanchard, Bloomington, IL, ten grandchildren, Francis, Simeon, Benjamin, Merit, Landis, Dunnevan, Emma, Liam, Rose and Nino and three great-grandchildren, Claire, Nash & Reece. Dottie was raised in Keokuk, Iowa and graduated from high school in 1951. She studied voice for many years and was active in the vocal music department in school and sang solos for most school functions and local weddings. While in school her Sunday mornings were often spent as the guest soloist for local churches. She married Paul Kirchner on September 23, 1951 and they lived in Montana, Idaho and Missouri while Paul was stationed in the Air Force. In 1955 they returned to Keokuk to raise their family. Dottie was always a stay at home mom and home room mother for each of her kids. Her home was always open to her childrens’ friends and there was usually at least one extra mouth to feed at every major holiday. Over the years the family lived in Minneapolis, MN, Burlington, IA, and St. Joseph, MO. Paul retired in 1995 and the following year they moved to Sun City West, AZ, where Dottie was involved in the Big Brother/Big Sister volunteer program and several vocal groups. A trip to Rome to sing at a Papal Mass was a thrill of a lifetime for her. While raising 5 children Dottie was a corporate wife, hostess, chief cook and bottle washer, housekeeper, nurse, nanny, chauffeur, teacher, homework consultant, laundress, hairdresser, gardener, painter, social director, domestic engineer, and caretaker. She was a member of Bridge clubs and Mah Jongg groups as well as a Travel Group, a Gourmet Group and Women’s Club. Dottie was a game player and never met a card game she couldn’t win. She always said she wasn’t a poor loser but she was a poor winner and her winning end zone dance was the proof. She made the best chocolate chip cookies, potato salad and chocolate mayonnaise cake. She gave great advice (but rarely unsolicited), was a very snazzy dresser and was always able to find the silver lining in every situation. Dottie had consciously made the decision that she was ready to cross the threshold. She received wonderful end of life care at Westminster Village, Bloomington, IL, and all 5 of her children had been with her during the last days of her life.