Dolores was born February 11, 1932, at home in Easton, Kansas to James R. Gwartney and Gladys Freedle Gwartney and was the eldest of the three children. She grew up with siblings, Jim and Shirley (LHS Class of 1952) living near her grandparents on the ancestral family farm north of Leavenworth. Dolores attended a one room school near her home, Oak Hill School, District 11 and graduated from Easton High School class of 1949, attended Ottawa University, and graduated from Saint Mary’s College, 1965.
She married her high school sweetheart, Gene Thompson December 22, 1951, and joined him at his Marine station in Paris Island, South Carolina. On Gene’s release from the Marines, they returned to live in the area. Her husband remodeled the one room schoolhouse on Millwood Road, which remained their home until 1970. They then moved to their final home on Millwood Road residing there 46 years of their 65 married years.
Dolores, an elementary school teacher taught at schools in Winchester, Potter and Salt Creek Valley, retiring in 1994.
She and Gene lovingly cared for daughter Janice, who died in 2005.
Dolores attended Easton Baptist Church until it closed and was a life member of the First Baptist Church of Leavenworth where she and Gene were active in the bus ministry. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.
She and Gene enriched the community with many friendships of all ages. Dolores had pictures of family and friends adorning their home and enjoyed dinners with family and friends at their home where everyone always felt welcomed and loved. She was kind, selfless, forgiving and generous with time and talents. She enjoyed attending Bible studies, quilting, gardening, reading, visiting friends and traveling to visit relatives.
Parkinson’s led to her declining health and grandson Jeffrey moved in, overseeing his grandparents care, making it possible for them to live in their home for several years as Dolores' health declined.
Dolores and Gene moved to Oklahoma in the past year so their daughter could oversee their care. Dolores died peacefully with family present at Integris Hospice House in Oklahoma City.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Shirley Morehead, daughter Janice, and grandson Michael. Dolores is survived by husband Gene, brother James (Amy) Gwartney, Tallahassee, Florida, daughter Cheryl Hooper (Mike Evans) Edmond, Oklahoma, grandson Jeffrey Hooper, Edmond, Oklahoma, granddaughter Trish (Richard) Moran and two great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and many loving friends and neighbors.
Visitation will be at Davis Funeral Chapel, 531 Shawnee St, Leavenworth, Kansas on Sunday, September 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. and funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, 340 N 13th St, Leavenworth, Kansas, on Monday at 10 a.m. with burial to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Easton, Kansas. Memorials in her honor can be made to the First Baptist Church, 340 N 13th St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Condolences may be left on Dolores' online Guest Book.
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