Dorothy Nadine (Croucher) Fillmore, 89, rural Colony, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, at Olathe Hospice House in Olathe.
Dorothy was born Nov. 10, 1927, to Sam and Mattie (Davis) Croucher in Peterton near Osage City.
Dorothy graduated in 1945 from Osage City High. When Dorothy was 15, she met the love of her life, Fred Fillmore (Fast Freddy). After seven years of courtship, Dorothy and Fred were married in Osage City on Jan. 21, 1950. In 1952, Fred and Dorothy moved from the Lebo/Osage City area to Ottumwa, where Fred farmed. In 1962, Fred and Dorothy bought a farm near Colony. It was there they raised their four daughters: Sherry Carter and Keith, Le Roy, Susan Fillmore Sharpe and Dennis, Lee’s Summit, Mo., Synthia Renyer, Burlington, and Shelia Luedke and Glen, Mandeville, La. In addition to their daughters, they graciously assisted in raising three grandsons, Fred, J.L., and Michael Blevins. They were grandparents to nine other grandchildren, Olivia, Kara, Ana, Alexandra, Emily, Sam, Seth, Jenique and Drew; and 15 great-grandchildren. One sister, Delores Toburen, Ottawa, survives.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; a grandson, J.L. Blevins; and three brothers, Kenneth, Sam and Joe Croucher.
Dorothy found joy in harvesting her vegetables, cooking for others, feeding her cardinal birds, sewing, completing word search books and puzzles, playing bingo, and gambling with friends and family. She loved seeing her farm crops being planted and combined, and was passionate about raising hogs and chickens. Her kitchen was always open for business.
After 60 years of marriage, Dorothy experienced great sadness when she lost her beloved Fred. Dorothy remained on the family farm for approximately four years, at which time she moved to The Meadows in Burlington, due to health reasons, and then later spent her final days at Cedar Lake Village in Olathe.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, 1883 U.S. 54, Iola. The family will greet friends on Tuesday morning from 9 until the time of the service. Burial will follow in Colony Cemetery, followed by lunch at the Colony Community Building. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Arthritis Foundation or the American Red Cross. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
Dorothy Fillmore
