Dorothy R. Schenk of Akron passed away peacefully on July 24, 2015 in Greeley, Colorado at the age of 84. She had lived with the effects of Alzheimer's and dementia for several years before succumbing to the illness. Dorothy was born March 16, 1931 and was the first child of John and Dora Riemenschneider. In 1934 the family settled on her grandfather's original homestead near Thurman, Colorado. This became their permanent home and Dorothy grew up assisting her parents on their farm and helping raise her siblings. She also enjoyed growing up with her many cousins who lived on nearby farms and shared memories of these times through the years. Dorothy attended Sunny Slope, a rural school in southern Washington County, grades 1-8 and Lindon High School.
Dorothy met Robert Schenk at a dance held in the Akron I.O.O.F Hall. They were married on August 20, 1950 in the Akron Methodist church. They made their home on the Schenk farm sixteen miles south of Akron and lived there until Bob's death in 2011. Four children were born to this union, Kenneth Leroy, Rosalie Ann, John Louis, and Roger Lynn. Dorothy was a dedicated wife, mother, and homemaker. She was a loving and involved grandmother. She was also an excellent cook and seamstress. Her handmade afghan blankets, doilies, and needlework were always welcome gifts to her children and grandchildren. Dorothy also actively assisted in the daily routine of operating a farm. She could run most of the machinery and enjoyed working the land during the summer. She was a regular truck driver during harvest. She was a determined individual who helped rehabilitate her husband from two serious injuries. Always active, in her later years she enjoyed taking long walks along the highway that passed by her house. For many years Dorothy served as a screener for the Northeast Colorado Well Child Clinic. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Akron serving as an elder, a Sunday school teacher, and as part of the Presbyterian Women's group.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her father and mother; her husband, Robert Schenk; her brothers, Vernon and Alden Riemenschneider; her sister Rozella Wyman; her brothers-in-law, Alvin Jefferson and Jay Wyman; sister-in-law Helen Riemenschneider; nephews, Steven Wyman and Gary Riemenschneider; and nieces Judy Wyman, Verna Riemenschneider, and Valerie Riemenschneider. Survivors include children Kenneth and Vicki Schenk of Fort Morgan; Rosalie and Marvin Jefferson of Fort Morgan; John and Renae Schenk of Fort Collins; and Roger and Diane Schenk of Akron. Grandchildren include Mary Jefferson of Denver; Shelli and Josh Langford of Fort Morgan; Erin Jefferson of Seattle, Washington; Sheri and Aaron Urdiales of Highlands Ranch; Lana and Matthew Taussig of Denver; Brandon Schenk of Akron; and Leslie Schenk of Fort Collins. Great-grandchildren include Jackson Langford, Charlie Langford, Aucencio Urdiales, Siena Urdiales, and Amos Taussig. Surviving sisters are Opal Jefferson of Akron and Wilda Wyman of West Fork, Arkansas. Surviving brothers are Verle Riemenschneider of Lindon and Don Riemenschnieder of Flagler. Dorothy also leaves to mourn numerous nephews and nieces, cousins, friends and neighbors. Gone for now but not forgotten, living within our hearts and memories.
Visitation will be Monday, July 27, 2015 from 5-7pm at Bowin Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Akron. Interment will follow at the Akron Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Dorothy Schenk Memorial Fund.