Dorothy Ella Hartshorne, age 93, of Biggs to be interred at Chico Cemetery Veteran's Section. She died December 30, 2005 of emphysema.

She was born September 23, 1912 to Leonard and Ella Wahl in Merrimac, Wisconsin just after twin brother, Donald. She had another brother, Leonard (Bud); and two sisters, Mae and Margaret. Reared in educated in Wisconsin, she graduated from Ft. Atkinson High School in 1930 with both brothers. She worked in a stocking factory while attending business college and earned a secretarial position at the Wisconsin State Capitol.

Dorothy married Sydney Richard Hartshorne October 26, 1938 and raised four children while traveling the country as a military family. Dorothy often parented alone as her husband was stationed overseas, including during World War II and the Korean War. "Sarge" retired from the Army in 1954, then taught ROTC at Boise and Capitol High Schools, while Dorothy took time to teach Sunday School at the Methodist Church, join the Rebekah Lodge, and work at Boise State University. Dorothy and Sarge moved to Chico in February 1976 where she made very good friends at the East Lindo Apartments. She also enjoyed volunteering as a Pink Lady for Enloe Hospital from 1978-1989.

Dorothy is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Dorothy and Steve Millard of Boise, Idaho; sons, Geoff Hartshorne of Berkeley, Calif. and Don Hartshorne of Yuba City, Calif.; daughter/caregiver, Vicki Higby Carson of Biggs; three granddaughters, Elizabeth Bindas of Spokane, Wash., Sondra Murphy of Ojai, Calif. and Heather Gardner of Oregon House, Calif.; great-grandchildren, Athena, Cassondra, Erin, Mollie Murphy, Veronica, Jared and Derek Coats; plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Sydney Richard Hartshorne; four siblings; and granddaughter, Paula Coats.

Dorothy lived her life with kindness, generosity and simplicity. She enjoyed sharing tales about her life, silly quips from her beloved father or the antics of her favorite dog, Gretchen. Her convalescence was eased by letters from dear friends, daily interaction with her family and the quirky companionship of cats. In quitting smoking after 66 years, Dorothy extended her life, enabling her great-grandchildren to hear all of her stories from her, personally. We fortunate one who love her will miss her humor most of all. Sweat dreams, Grammy. Published in Chico Enterprise-Record on January 4, 2006.