Dorothy Leona Stickling

MISSOULA – Dorothy Leona Stickling, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, at The Springs of Missoula. She was born in Davenport, Iowa, to Mildred and Edward Suhr. Raised by her beloved mother and stepfather Ralph Coleman, she lived almost all her life in Rockford, Illinois. She married Donald Stickling in 1942, and they were married 60 years. Following his death, she moved to Missoula to be with her daughter.

Dorothy was a stay-at-home mother in the 1940s and early 1950s, but she was always a great reader and had a flair for writing. Those two activities led her to the popular activity of that time, entering writing contests. For writing jingles, or why in 25 words or less one should buy Tide or Wheaties, the typewriter was always on the dining room table, ready when creativity struck. And she was a winner! The family was one of the very few with a color television set in the mid '50s because she won it on the Howdy Doody television show. When these contests ended in the '60s, replaced by sweepstakes, she lamented the loss of the older ones based on skill.

When she later worked outside the home, she found employment in a new field, television. She wrote copy and staged television commercials for the local Piggly Wiggly supermarket chain. Until she retired in the 1980s, she held various office positions with companies and organizations in Rockford, including W.F. and John Barnes Co., the Rockford Civic League, and as executive secretary to the director of finance for the Rockford Public Schools.

Dorothy's move to Missoula brought a new chapter to her life, one she fully embraced. While she lived at the Lynnwood, and always being a great walker, she walked to the University Center, or across the Higgins bridge, covering many miles routinely. She was well known at the UC Food Commons, Doc's and El Cazador. And the family thanks these businesses for the extra attention and treats they always provided her. She always remarked on the beauty and friendliness of Missoula, even writing a letter to the editor about the blessings of living here.

In later years she moved to Grizzly Peak, and for the past several years she resided at The Springs. The family is so grateful to The Springs for the care and love the whole staff gave to Dorothy. Every single person there is an exceptional caregiver, and in particular, the family wants to thank the aides in Memory Care who are indeed the saints of this world.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter Donna (James) Koch of Missoula; granddaughter Elizabeth Janik (Marcus) of Norfolk, Virginia; grandson Mark (Tera) Koch of Richmond, Virginia, and great-grandsons, Oliver and Felix Janik and Calvin and Marlon Koch.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Wednesday, Dec. 30, at 2 p.m. with a reception following. A committal service will be held in June in Rockford.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Missoula.


Read Dorothy Stickling's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.