Dodge City - Dorothy Virginia Thurnau, 94, died March 4, 2021 at Minneola Long Term Care Unit.  She was born on August 10, 1926 in Konawa, Oklahoma the daughter of Joseph Earl and Barbara (Walker) Barton.

Dorothy's early childhood years were spent in Oklahoma.  The family then moved to Dodge City and Dorothy graduated from Dodge City High School.  On April 28, 1962, she was united in marriage to Lloyd Z. Thurnau.  The couple moved to Georgia, Washington, Florida, and Alabama following Lloyd's career with NASA.  While in Georgia, Dorothy worked as the assistant to the Superintendant of Schools for the Marietta, Georgia school system.  The last move was to Huntsville, Alabama, where Dorothy worked as an accountant for Teledyne Brown until her retirement.  In 1994, Dorothy returned to Dodge City to be closer to family.

Dorothy enjoyed gardening, cross stitch, cross word puzzles, and attending auctions.  She loved to play board games and was a skilled scrabble player.  Dorothy was devoted to her family.  She loved spending time with her great grandchildren.  She had a special bond with her sisters as well.

She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Dodge City.  She was active in many areas of the church. She was also a strong supporter of St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Dorothy is survived by a daughter, Kelly Ann Donaldson and husband Ian of Ellis; three sisters, Enid Gumm and husband Jerry of Hutchinson, Wanda Behringer of Waco, Texas, and Bette McKee of Sheridan, Wyoming; two granddaughters, Doriane Stimpert and husband Marty of Bucklin and Angela Rummel and husband Brad of Dodge City; four great grandchildren, Olivia De La Torre and husband Frank of Dodge City, Paul Andrew Simmons of Dodge City; Keath Rankin and companion, Kristi Daigh of Eudora; and Wyatt Rankin and wife Lexi of Bucklin; one great-great grandson, Drake De La Torre of Dodge City; and extended family, Mike and Linda Rankin and Max Rankin all of Dodge City. She is preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd and a niece.

Funeral service will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Dodge City on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Randall Jahnke presiding.  Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Dodge City on Tuesday, March  9, 2021 from noon to 8:00 PM .  Memorials are suggested to the Minneola Long Term Care Unit in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com .