Dorothy M. Riggert

Dottie Riggert took her last journey Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, at the age of 91, ending this great adventure we call life. Born April 17, 1923, to Tony and Marie Mincoff, she began her trip through life. As a youngster of about 8 years old, she met the love of her life, Bill Riggert, while he was visiting relatives in Missoula and made him promise that someday they would be married.

She worked in the family business, Mincoff Ignition and Motor Parts, in Missoula. At a very young age, she started delivering customer statements after school for 2 cents apiece. Dottie was attending the University of Montana and a sorority sister until she left her studies to work in the family business, as they did not have enough staff during World War II. She not only handled bookkeeping and inventory control, which consisted of more than 30, 000 inventory cards maintained by hand, but was also probably one of the first female auto parts clerks in the United States. Once the mechanics in town figured out she really knew her stuff, she was the go-to lady to get the right auto parts every time.

True to his word, Bill came home on leave from fighter pilot training (World War II) and asked for her hand in marriage. They were married in August 1944. She was able to join Bill during his time as a fighter pilot training officer. After the war, they returned to Missoula and purchased her father's business, Mincoff Ignition and Motor Parts. Dottie taught Bill the business and together they grew it to become one of the finest parts houses and mchine shops in Missoula.

In 1957, Dottie and Bill brought a son, Darr Riggert, into the world and their whole life changed. Dottie stayed home for seven years to be a mother before returning to work. Bill continued his military career as a pilot and eventually a commanding officer of Missoula's Special Forces (Green Beret). After a time, she and Bill sold their business and Bill retired from the military as a lieutenant colonel. Dottie and Bill hosted many military functions and other dinner parties, which Dottie loved to plan out to perfection, ensuring every one had a great time. She was very proud of their home and enjoyed decorating and improving it, well at least the planning and supervising part, leaving Bill doing the work part.

Their life included many adventures in travel with family and friends, including visiting nearly all of Europe, Egypt, Bermuda, Mexico and most of the U.S. Eventually, Bill and Dottie decided to spend the winters in Phoenix, first by living in their R.V. and later in a home they built in Surprise, Arizona. During summer months, they always returned to their real home in Missoula. Her organizational skills came in handy in Arizona, heading up the ladies golf association in their area, as well as many functions. Bill and Dottie made many lifelong fiends in Arizona, many of whom also visited them at their Missoula home. Dottie loved shopping for clothes, shoes and antiques. Well, really shopping for almost anything.

Dottie is survived by her husband, Bill; and son, Darr and his wife Cindy. Just before the celebration of their 60th anniversary Dottie was asked, "how long have you been married?" to which she laughed and replied, "It will be 60 years if the marriage lasts!" And the marriage was nearly 70 years at the time of her passing.

The family has decided to have a celebration of her life this summer when the weather is nice. Dottie didn't really like winter or the cold!
Read Dorothy Riggert's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.