Visitation: Tuesday, May 12, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.
Funeral Service: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Interment: Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery in Miles City.

Dorothy Elizabeth (Watson) Rath, age 82, of Billings passed away Friday, May 8th at Saint Vincent Hospital and Health Center with her devoted family surrounding her, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Dorothy was born September 20, 1926 in Jordan to Claude D. and Anna A. (Johnson) Watson. She was second of 4 children. Older brother Donald, and younger sister and brother Evelyn and Dean. She attended schools in Garfield County first attending Country School and then school in Jordan graduating from Garfield County High School.

Dorothy met the love of her life Reinhart (Reinny) Rath in Jordan at a dance when he came from North Dakota to visit his sister Erna Schwindt. After a short courtship, on August 28, 1946, Dorothy and Reinny were married. They were blessed with 4 children, Gloria, Carol, David, and Diane. Dorothy was proud that she was a stay at home mother until all the children were in school. She then went to work as Deputy County Assessor at the Garfield County Court House for 5 yrs and then worked for 20 yrs as clerk/secretary of the Garfield County Extension office retiring in September 1988.

Dorothy had several hobbies but her most wonderful talent was her meticulous beautiful crochet work. She would even crochet as Reinny drove the car or drove the boat at Hell Creek. She taught many people her talent of crocheting and donated many of her afghans or doilies to fundraisers. She also gave much of her crochet work as gifts to her friends and loved ones. Dorothy loved dancing especially with Reinny, and loved music but jokingly said the only thing she could play was the radio. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, word games, and hand held electronic games which kept her busy. She was also a wonderful cook and hostess and loved cooking for friends and family. Weekends were especially fun as her childrens friends would stop by to play cards and visit and hang out. Dorothy is known for her wit, sense of humor, and incredible memory and attention to facts and details and always spoiling her kids and grandchildren with their favorite foods and candy. She would say "they weren't spoiled they were loved rotten."

Dorothy was a member of Royal Neighbors for a time and was a Charter Lifetime Member of VFW auxiliary, and a member of the Lutheran Church of Jordan as well as being in the ALCW.

Over the years Dorothy and Reinny loved to travel to see family and friends and especially loved going to Reinny's Army reunions.

Dorothy and Reinny moved to Billings in August 2003 to be near family. Mom and dad missed their Jordan friends and family but enjoyed their new home and living close to their children and grandchildren. Dorothy was a very devoted loving wife, caregiver, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, brother Donald, sister Evelyn, brother Dean, infant son David, and her beloved husband Reinny. Dorothy is survived by: daughters Gloria (D.J.) Milroy, Carol Raschkow, and Diane (Gerald) Hewett, all of Billings. Grandchildren: R. Dean (Barb) Clark of Jordan, Kara (Bill) Lambert of Hammond, Cody (Callie) Clark of Worden, Mark Raschkow of Missoula, L. Cpl David (Miranda) Raschkow of Billings, and Nathan Raschkow of Billings, Heather Pippin (Fiancé Quin Fuhrman) of Missoula, Megan Pippin (Britt Hougen) of Billings. Step grandchildren: Sarah Maya, Justina (Huston) Curran, and Patrick (Amanda) Hewett all of Billings. Melody Milroy of Billings, Tracy (Candy) Milroy of Brockway. Great grandchildren: Chantz and Misty Lambert, Trevor Clark, Natalie Rogers, Halle Murray, and Chloe Raschkow and 13 step great grandchildren. Also Sisters-in-law: Corene Watson and Erna Schwindt, special close cousin Darlene Shawver, and family friends Ellen Loveall, Dustin Nelson, and Tad Gilmore.

We want to thank Dr David Christenson, his partners, nurses and staff of HOCNR, and the nurses and staff of SVHHC 3Tower and 3 Fortin for the caring loving compassionate care given to Dorothy during her illness.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.