Dorothy Leah Ward

Published 10:05 am Monday, December 4, 2017

August 1, 1951 – November 21, 2017

Our special lady, Dottie, whom we all loved, passed away peacefully in her sleep November 21, 2017, in Bend, battling brain cancer.

Dottie is survived by her husband, Kirk. The couple was married with friends and family at Lake Creek Lodge September 23, 2006. They were each other’s “Loves of their lives.” Dottie loved life and had a real sense of adventure. She loved traveling, exploring, and coming back to her family.

Dottie graduated from Portland State University with a degree in psychology. She used her skills and compassion as a team leader for the Department of Human Resources in Washington County.

As special co-worker, Dale Paeper with DHS wrote, “Vanessa, Clarke, Matt, Sandy, Hayley, Gordie, Carisa, and Garrison, Dottie spoke of you all so often. We worked together, most of the time sharing an office, since the fall of January 1995, when we were hired a month apart. She spoke of you so often and loved you all so much.”

Dottie was born to Vemisha and Gordon Kemmer in Hillsboro and is survived by her three children, Vanessa with husband Eric, and two loving grandchildren, Jonah and Allen. Her sons, Clarke and Matthew; her brother, Gordie Kemmer; and sister, Sandy Kemmer, with her three adult children, Hayley, Carisa and Garrison. “Dottie had a very large extended family with many aunts, uncles, and cousins who all loved their special Dottie.”

A “ Celebration of Life” will be held at a later date. – “We love you, Dottie”

Arrangements have been entrusted to Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home, Bend. Please visit the online registry for Dottie at www.niswonger-reynolds.com