Dorothy Jean O'Berg

Dorothy Jean (Seegrist) O'Berg passed peacefully on 24 December 2024, having lived a life filled with love. She will be remembered for her strength, her kindness, her love for her family and friends, and as a shining example of a life fully lived.

Dorothy was born on 19 February 1938 on a farm south of Van Tassell, Wyoming. She was married to Lee Smith on 23 October 1954 at the Congregational Church in Lusk, Wyoming. Although divorced in 1965, Dorothy's and Lee's union blessed them with three children: Randy Dean Smith, who married Janna (Asselin) Smith on 18 April 1975; Debora Lee Smith (Tim Heath), who married Gary Eberhardt on 23 December 1975 and then Lee Emig; and Leatte Gay (Smith) Ziegler, who married Clinton Ziegler on 4 August 1979. Dorothy later wed Roy Dale O'Berg on 21 July 1965 in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Their union, long and full of love, brought together two families (Roy's children-Pam Leibhardt, Mary Elder, Donald O'Berg, and Gary O'Berg-and Dorothy's) as one. Roy passed away in 1993.

In 1996, Dorothy met Ted Parker-she hired him to fertilize her yard. Dorothy and Ted were together for nearly three decades, each day of which was spent with love. Together they gardened, camped, fished, traveled, tried their luck in South Dakota, and shared the joy of each other's company. She was his world, and he was hers.

Dorothy's many talents were apparent in her work: she was a long-time florist at the Rose Bowl in Ogallala, Nebraska and at Carolyn's Flowers and Abts Pharmacy and Gifts in Julesburg, Colorado. She worked as a personal secretary for Charles Robacker and sold Avon. Most memorable, though, were her many crocheted gifts and blankets that will forever serve as a testament to her kindness and as a memory of her love.

For as long as she was able, Dorothy hosted every holiday at her home, cooking and being with those she loved. She especially loved spending time with her children, grandchildren-Brian Eberhardt, Brandon Smith (Nicole Smith), Tiffany Ziegler Moody (Jamie Moody), Brady Smith, Sonja (Ziegler) Talley (Jacoby Talley), April Smith, Zachary Ziegler (Jennifer, Cooper & Conner Evans), Brock Smith (Jasmyn Smith; and her great grandchildren Kael Smith, Emmy Smith, Korbin Talley, Kaaliyah Smith, Maddin Smith, Katana Smith, Elyza Smith, Benjamin Moody, and Jaina Moody. A visit to her home meant a full meal, games, cards, and dessert(s). Indeed, family get-togethers and meals required several pies, earning her the moniker, 'piemaker'.

Dorothy loved her family dearly: she was a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, and Teddy's Dort. She greeted life with a smile and a pie and left the world the way she came-in love. Her last thoughts were of others: "My wish for all is to have a happy life."

She was preceded in death by her father Winford Valentine Seegrist; her mother Ethel May (Turner) Seegrist; her sisters Alice Seegrist and Mary Elenore (Seegrist) Hammond Robertson; her grandson, Brady Smith; and by the many she was grateful to call family throughout her life: Lee Smith, Lee Emig, Mary Elder, and Roy O'Berg.

A celebration of Dorothy's life will be held on Friday 3 January 2025 at 10:00 A.M. (viewing at 9:00 am) at Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Julesburg, Colorado with burial to follow in the Julesburg cemetery. Country Treasure Floral and More in Holyoke, Colorado is in charge of flowers. Any donations in memoriam will be given to a charity to be determined later in Dorothy's memory. Online Condolences may be shared at www.prairiehillsjulesburg.com.