Dorothy L. Cleland, 76, of Seneca, KS, died Saturday, July 19, 2003, at Country View Estates care home in Seneca. Due to health problems, Dorothy had been a resident there since 1985. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer with metastasis to the lungs nine weeks ago.

She was born February 1, 1927, the daughter of Carl and Lucy Stone Hodges, at Topeka. After graduation from Topeka High School in 1945, she attended Baker University and Washburn University as music major. She was a piano teacher.

On May 6, 1956, she married Paul I. Cleland at the First Methodist Church in Topeka where she sang in the choir. They lived on a farm near Eskridge. In 1964 they moved to Anthony where Paul worked for the Soil Conservation Service and to Seneca in 1967. Her husband, Paul, preceded her in death on December 29, 1986.

Dorothy was a member of the United Methodist Church in Seneca where she had been a soloist with the choir. When her son Larry sang a solo at the state music contest, she played the piano for him. She enjoyed playing the piano for church services and entertainment at the nursing home. Dorothy followed her grandchildren’s activities and enjoyed being with them. She was their sports fan, as well as following the sports of the care-home employees’ children on the local TV station. Nationally, she was an Atlanta Braves fan. Dorothy liked visiting with people and knew everyone by name, both care-home visitors and residents.

Survivors are two sons, James Cleland, Lafayette, CO, and Larry Cleland, Anchorage, AK; two daughters; Denise Nolte, Seneca and Linda Heinen, Goff; a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Ruth Hodges of Topeka; twelve grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
She was also preceded in death by three stepchildren Gary and Sandra Cleland and Patricia Watkins.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, July 23, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Family will meet with friends from 7 to 8 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at 3 PM Wednesday at the Burlingame Cemetery, Burlingame, KS.

Memorials may be given for the Activity Fund at Country View Estates, and sent in care of the family.