Dorothy "Dottie" E. Woltemath

Quoting Shakespeare, "All the world's a stage," and we are all indeed, "merely players", Dorothy Woltemath once wrote. She would continue to write, "I was given the opportunity to strut my hour upon the stage," and boy did she!

Dorothy "Dottie" Woltemath passed away November 11, 2023, at Sedgwick County Health Center in Julesburg.

Dottie was born on March 2, 1942, to Vincent E. and Virginia (Romans) Maloney in Colorado Springs, CO. She graduated from William J. Palmer High School in 1960. She continued her education at Colorado State College in Greeley, CO, earning a BS in Theatre & Language Arts in 1964. In 1981, she completed her Master's Degree in Science Counseling and Guidance at Chadron State College.

Dottie married the love of her life, Mike Woltemath, on May 6, 1967, and to this union was born one son, Michael "Sean" Woltemath. Wife and Mother would be the greatest roles she would play for the rest of her life.

Dottie's next biggest role was the part of educator. Her teaching career, from the beginning and to the end, was 14 miles apart. Her first teaching position began in 1964 at Sedgwick High School. She would teach at Douglas High School at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. She would teach in Nebraska at Ogallala High School, Morrill High School, and Big Springs High School. Eventually, she returned to Sedgwick County with Mike and Sean to complete her teaching career at Julesburg High School.

During her years as an educator, she took on the roles of High School Language Arts Instructor, Drama/Operetta Sponsor, Newspaper Advisor, Cheerleader, Pep Club and Drill Team Coach, and Guidance Counselor. She was an Adjunct Instructor at Northeastern Junior College - English, Psychology, and Sociology. She retired in 2004.

Outside of school, she worked as a Therapist with Centennial Mental Health and later was Owner/Operator of the Wagon Wheel Restaurant. Dottie would work as a Communication Officer, Victim Advocate, and Administrative Assistant to the Sheriff.

She was a Servant to her communities and was recognized by the Women's Division of the Ogallala Chamber of Commerce. She organized and directed the first two Community Theatre Productions in Ogallala, and worked at the Ogallala Welcome Wagon.

After moving to Julesburg, she served on the Child Protection Team, became a member of St. Anthony's Parish Council, and served as President in 1982. As a member of the Hippodrome Community Theatre, she was a Director, Producer, and Actor. Serving for nine years, she was the Democratic Central Committee Chairman and served on the Julesburg District Re-1 Board of Education, and was Board President 2007-2008.

She was named "Female Employee of the Year" in 1972 by the Ogallala Chamber of Commerce; "Teacher of the Year" in 1986 by the Sedgwick County Chamber of Commerce; "Carol Hacker Award -Outstanding Victim Advocate Volunteer Sector for the State of Colorado" in 2009. Perhaps her greatest awards were two, "COCA-COLA Outstanding Educator." The first was awarded in 2001 and the second in 2004, and both nominations were by students. Lastly, she was nominated by childhood friend Julie Bolger Davey. Dottie was inducted into the "Palmer High School Class of 1960 Hall of Fame" for the contributions she made to students and her community.

Dorothy Elizabeth Maloney Woltemath was preceded in death by her parents, husband Mike, brothers Dan Maloney, Charles "Mike" Maloney, Vincent (Alkey) Maloney, and sister Patricia Dunaway.

She leaves behind a son, Michael "Sean" Woltemath of Julesburg, grandchildren Kurtis Woltemath, Alex Woltemath, and Tabitha Woltemath, sister Marcella Warila, adopted daughter Vickie Sandlin of Julesburg, best friend Mary Rice of Bennet, NE and childhood best friend Julie Bolger Davey of Laguna Niguel, CA. She also leaves behind numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews, and a large community of friends.

Memorials have been established in Dorothy's memory to the Julesburg High School Alumni Association (JHSAA) or the Hippodrome Arts Centre. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Julesburg. A Rosary will be held at 1:30 p.m., followed by Mass at 2 p.m., with Fr. Michael O'Brien as Celebrant. Interment of cremains will be in the Hillside Cemetery.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Julesburg is in charge of arrangements.