Dorothy Ruth Fickessen (Johnston), 86, of Dallas, TX, died March 17, 2008, at Baylor Specialty Hospital. Dottie is survived by her sister, Mildred LaBue, and her husband, Jimmy, of Oil City, PA, with whom she enjoyed a loving sisterly relationship; her son, Jack Fickessen and his wife, Debbie, of Austin, TX; her daughter, Jan (Fickessen) Staats and her husband, Jerry, of Dallas, TX. Dottie had four grandchildren - Sarah and Taylor Staats of Dallas, TX; Chase Fickessen of Austin, TX; and Jami Robinson and her husband, Grant, of Austin, TX. Dottie also had two great granddaughters - Stella and Amelia Robinson of Austin, TX and many nieces and nephews.

Dottie was born on July 3, 1921 in Oil City, PA, the daughter of John Robert Johnston and Ruth Marcella Eisenman. Following graduation from University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing in 1942, she joined the U.S. Army Nursing Corps during World War II and was sent to Fort Indiantown Gap, PA. There, she met Jack Walton Fickessen who was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. They were married in Augusta, GA, on August 12, 1943, and were married for 49 years before Jack's death in 1992. After she and Jack spent 26 exciting years of military service with the US Army Corps of Engineers, they retired in Texas in 1968 living first in Sam Rayburn and later moving to Lago Vista, TX. In 2001, Dottie moved to Dallas.

Dottie's talents and love of life made such a positive impact on all who knew and loved her. She was always looking for ways to have fun and made sure everyone was included. Her great joy and love of life, and the kindness that she always showed to others, will be held in our hearts forever. Her family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to her special caregivers, Linda Escobedo and Cece Guerra, who helped Dottie get through this difficult time, and also to the caring staff of Plaza at Edgemere, especially Ron and Fletcher.

Dottie was never one to sit still. She was involved in all types of activities and always ensured others were included. Throughout her life, her commitment to others and to organizations in which she believed had been placed at the top of her support list. Here are just a few: she was a life-long Republican and represented Jasper County, TX, as a State Delegate; while living in France, Dottie was a Delegate to the International Conference for Women's Affairs - representing the countries of Belgium, Holland, France, Italy and Switzerland; she also served four years as the President of The Daughters of the King at St. Peters Episcopal Church in Lago Vista, TX, a church where she was one of the cofounders; Dottie also was the Activities Director for the Edna Gladney Home in Ft. Worth, TX. While living at the Plaza Assisted Living Community, she served as President of the Residence Council for several years, started and managed a large print library for everyone to borrow and read books, formed "The Coffee Klatch" group that met each morning for coffee and conversation, wrote and illustrated the daily activities marquee, and played the role of Cecil B. DeMille every Monday afternoon and Wednesday and Friday evening as she showed a movie to those who come to watch.

Dottie enjoyed all types of arts & crafts! Among her favorites were needle point, cross stitch, and embroidering! As a skilled needle point artisan, she needle pointed three kneelers, including the Wedding Kneeler, for her Church in Lago Vista, TX.

Memorial Services were held at The Plaza at Edgemere, 8502 Edgemere, in Dallas, March 20. She was buried with her husband at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX.