Yvonne Clara Lissa Dotz

MISSOULA – Yvonne Clara Lissa was born Oct. 24, 1931, in Billings and was immediately adopted by Ulysses and Clara Lissa. In 1949, she married Lyle G. Barker Sr. and had four children while residing in Billings. After marrying Frank R. Dotz in 1970, she moved to Missoula. Our little angel peacefully passed away at age 81 from natural causes Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at Community Medical Center.

Gardening was her passion. As a volunteer groundskeeper for nearly 35 years at her rental apartment, Yvonne reported every morning to work manicuring her beautiful, love-filled garden.

Yvonne's education was worldly, but not through school. She loved books and she loved to learn. While in Billings in the '60s, she launched the first import store called Lost Horizon Imports, which brought the world to her without traveling. Yvonne was indeed the Scrabble queen and New York Times crossword puzzle guru. Words intrigued her.

She was especially fascinated with clouds and photographed them for years, which became gift cards for friends. Her favorite holiday was Christmas. Starting at Thanksgiving, she built magical Christmas wonderlands with millions of tiny lights and ornaments that garnished her 50-year-old green foiled tree. It gave her pride to showcase her holiday glory with friends or anyone who wished to stop by. If you were lucky to be on her holiday gift list, you would have received her "famous" banana bread.

She also loved making jewelry. Her artistic talents presented dazzling and unique jewelry pieces. Her handmade jewelry pieces were sought after and gifts to many. She was charmed and talented with music. She enjoyed playing the piano and was a gifted singer in her younger years. Her most recent musical interests included attending school band concerts and watching her son, grandsons and "adopted son" perform on stage. She was also a proud mother and grandmother. She saved articles, pamphlets, napkins, stickers, match books – ANYTHING that captured moments of family member adventures and achievements.

Yvonne is survived by her daughter, Kerry Jean-Francois and husband Jim of Seattle; son, Checkers Barker and wife Janis of Missoula and their three children, Checkers II, Branden and Drew, all of Denver; son, Lyle Barker Jr. of Perth, Australia; grandchildren, Isaac Moore of Billings, Ivy Moore of Portland, Ore., and Chad Westerland of Tucson, Ariz.; daughters in-law, Kari Gunn and Angela Clark; stepson, Rollie Dotz of Missoula; and stepdaughters, Terri Stricker of Billings and Robin Brennan of Chicago. Other survivors include Pete Paeth, dear friend and "adopted son," and her extended family at CVS in Missoula!

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Denise Barker; first husband, Lyle G. Barker Sr.; and second husband, Frank R. Dotz.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 6, at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested a memorial donation be made in honor of Yvonne Dotz to AniMeals, 1700 Rankin St., Missoula, MT 59808.

Read Yvonne Dotz's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.