Dortha Viola Bain Tucker, 92, died on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at Brookside Retirement in Overbrook, Kansas. She was born on January 5, 1926 in Pittsburg, Kansas to Alonzo M. Bain and Fanny P. Lance Bain. She attended Langdon Lane Grade School and graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1943. After graduating, Dortha lived in Kansas City and Topeka. She married Seldon Edward Tucker on November 28, 1946 at the First United Methodist Church in Topeka. In 1948, they moved to Overbrook where Dortha lived until her death.
Dortha is survived by her four children, Edward S. Tucker and his wife Peggy of Overbrook, Carol Tucker Allen and her husband Brian of Topeka, John A. Tucker of Carbondale and Cathy Tucker-Vogel and husband George of Lawrence; six grandchildren, Josie L. Tucker (Sammie L. Jackson), Jesse A. Tucker, Jonnie J. (Robert) Warthen, Drew W. Vogel, Benjamin A. Vogel and Grace M. Tucker; and five great-granddaughters, Jasmine McGee, Ashlind Tucker, Tatiana Tucker, Lilyona Tucker and Lexie Tucker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Seldon in 1995; her parents, Alonzo and Fanny; and her four siblings, Lawrence R. Bain, Laura Hudson-Sparks, Velma M. Pistole and Mabel Erikson.
Dortha loved her family first and was supportive and involved in their many activities. She and Seldon travelled in their RV throughout the western United States. They would spend months at their house on Tablerock Lake, fishing and relaxing on the water, and generously hosting family and friends. Dortha was a leader in the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H. She was always in the stands cheering at her children's sporting events and sewed costumes for dance recitals, school plays and Overbrook Fair floats. She created clothing for her daughters and made matching outfits for their dolls. She decorated amazing birthday cakes and cakes for special events. Dortha's cooking and baking skills were appreciated by her family and many friends.
After moving to Overbrook, Dortha joined the United Methodist Church and donated many hours to the church and the United Methodist Women. She shared her creative talents by designing the stained glass windows in the church vestibule for Seldon's memorial, designing and quilting the banner in the foyer and creating the drawing of the new church for its dedication. She attended Sunday School, Bible Study and weekly services until her physical and mental limitations preventd her involvement.
Dortha had many friends in the Overbrook community and beyond. With her BFF, Helen Garisch, she shared a passion for gardening and china painting. They spent many hours together creating beautiful china pieces and sharing flowers and produce from their gardens. Dortha enjoyed the Busy Bees Hobby Club for both meeting with friends and making fun projects. She also belonged to the Searchlight Club, Thimble Club and the American Legion Auxiliary.
After family and friends, Dortha's next love was china painting. Over the years, she painted a bounty of beautiful china pieces, leaving a legecy to be enjoyed by those who appreciated her talents. She was a member of Palette Pals China Painters and met with them monthly to attend classes and paint china. Flowers were her favorite subject to paint. In 2006, Dortha's handpainted china basket received the World Organization of China Painters Excellence Award. The basket was displayed in the WOCP Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for a year.
Dortha lived her last years at Brookside's 'The Fields', a memory care facility in Overbrook. She had been challenged by dementia and progressive physical weakness. The Brookside staff took very good care of her and she was content there, having lived her life the best way she knew how.
Memorial services for Dortha will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 20 at the Overbrook United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 10:00am until service time. Inurnment in the Overbrook Cemetery will be at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Overbrook United Methodist Church or the Busy Bee Hobby Club, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home.