DoLores W. Adams Our mother, our grandmother, our great-grandmother, our friend...now, our Angel. DoLores was born on May 29, 1916, in Tacoma, WA, and died peacefully on April 1, 2007 in her home in Lakewood, WA. DoLores is preceded in death by her lifelong sweetheart of 71 years, Roger W. Adams; her daughter, Lanette "Lanny" Werner; her parents, Ralph and Clara Prengel and brother, Herb Prengel. Her legacy of love will be carried on by her daughter, RoLores "Skip" Peterson of Lakewood, WA; son, Roger R. Adams of Dallas, TX; grandson, Tom Peterson of Huntington Beach, CA; granddaughter, LinSue Peterson of Lakewood, WA; grandson, Terry A. Werner of Tacoma, WA; grandson, Clint Werner of Columbus, OH; granddaughter Rae Adams of Salem, OR; grandson Ryan Adams of Salem, OR; grandson Roger M. Adams of Salem, OR; 9 great-Grandchildren and by scores of friends who considered her part of their own family. DoLores and Roger met and fell in love in a roller skating rink, and spent their life pursuing this passion. They operated the Tacoma Roller Bowl on South Tacoma Way from 1947 until it burned down in 1951. Then they owned and operated their new love, the Adams' Tacoma Roller Bowl from 1952-1984. This passion passed down to their children and grandchildren and is sprouting within their great-children. DoLores and Roger traveled the world supporting their competitive skating family and helping make the roller skating industry what it is today. DoLores loved to make the world around her better and enjoyed seeing as much of it as she could. She was a great cook, a meticulous housekeeper and loved to tend her beautiful roses. She loved to feed the birds and squirrels outside her back door and loved many a cat above and beyond just being a pet. She enjoyed vacationing in the family motor-home at the "R" Ranch in Northern California and along the Washington coast. DoLores especially loved Christmas and made it a magical time for her family, friends and community. No one was immune to her infectious Christmas spirit. DoLores was a dedicated, hard working businesswoman, mother and friend. There was always things to be done, and she never missed a beat. She graduated from Lincoln High School at the young age of 15. She would put in a full day of homemaking then be off to work at the rink through the night. She worked tirelessly as a volunteer by using her seamstress skills sewing costumes for fund-raising events for Muscular Dystrophy, the American Heart Association and for skating shows like Paris in Orbit. She was a member of Little Church on the Prairie in Lakewood for over 50 years where she taught Sunday School and served in many other capacities. She joined the Valeda Social Club, started by some friends in the spring of 1935 and loved being hostess and getting together with these women for over seven decades. You have touched our lives, DoLores, and we are better for it! A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 6, 2007, at 12 Noon at Little Church on the Prairie, 6310 Motor Ave SW, Lakewood, WA. A viewing will be held from 5 PM- 8 PM on Thursday, April 5, 2007, at the New Tacoma Funeral Home; 9212 Chambers Creek Rd. W., University Place, WA. Private internment at New Tacoma Cemetery.
Published in the News Tribune (Tacoma) from 4/4/2007 - 4/5/2007.