In Memory Of
Dorothy Jepson
Dorothy Jepson
Dorothy Jean Jepson, 81, died Sunday, March 21st at her residence in Topeka. She was born August 1, 1923 to her parents, William E (Skinny) Grutzmacher and Lucy Valburg Grutzmacher in Westmoreland, KS. Dorothy Jean did not know her family was poor as they moved into a new house her father, a carpenter, built, in 1929. After graduating from Westmoreland High School, she received nurses training at St Mary's Hospital in Manhattan from 1941-1944, while her mother and father worked in Wichita, KS helping build B-29 bombers during WWII.
Dorothy met her future husband in Manhattan while Jep was stationed at Ft Riley. At the time she was working at the DeChairo Hospital in Westmoreland. A year later she did post-graduate training in Operating Room (OR) procedures in Philadelphia, PA. She became OR supervisor at the Security Benefit Association Hospital in Topeka in 1945. In 1946 she worked in the Berkley Hospital in Berkley, CA. While working there, Jep returned from the Pacific and together they flew back to Westmoreland and were married on October 1, 1946, the wedding anniversary date of her parents. Dorothy had the shortest nursing career in her class-2 years.
She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star #209 (Manhattan) for over 60 years having joined at the age of 18. She belonged to all the Military Wives Clubs where she and Jep were stationed including Ft Lee, VA, Ft Buchanan, Puerto Rico, Ft Richardson, Alaska, Ft Leavenworth, KS, Bad Kruesnach and Kaislautern and Vint Hills Farm Station, VA, Germany as well as the Quartermaster Wives Club, Washington D.C. and the greater Washington D.C. Officer Wives Club.
She served for several years as a Red Cross volunteer at the DeWitt Army Hospital Pharmacy, Ft Belvoir, VA and the Fairfax County Shelter for the Homeless. She was active in the PTA, was a Cub Scout Den Mother for several years and a room mother for all 3 of her children. Her hobbies include gardening, tennis, and traveling. The family went on a luxurious cruise aboard the SS United States to Europe where they visited 11 countries. They have been to all of the 50 states in the US and drove back from Alaska on the Alcan Highway visiting 15 places enroute. She joined the Unity of Fairfax Church in VA in the 1980's.
She was a very loving mother and extremely proud of the achievements of her children and grandchildren. She really enjoyed watching and taking care of the wild birds and wild animals in their picturesque backyard.
She is survived by her husband, Warren H Jepson Sr (Colonel, U.S. Army Retired) at the home, one daughter, Pamela Jepson, Centerville, VA. Two Sons: Warren Jepson Jr and his wife, Maria of St Charles, IL. Also Barry W Jepson and his wife, Jill, of Harveyville, KS. 3 Grandsons, Christopher Jepson, Chicago, IL. Beau Jepson, Lawrence, KS and Alex Jepson, Harveyville, KS.
4 Granddaughters: Andrea Jepson, Las Vegas, NV. Laurel Jepson, Lenexa, KS. Natalie Jepson, KC, MO. Catherine Jepson, Harveyville, KS.
Memorial Services will be held at the Unity Church of Christianity, Topeka, at 1:30 PM on Saturday, April3rd, 2004. The cremated remains will be interned at Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium, Arlington, VA. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Unity Church of Christianity, 9126 SW 10th St
Topeka, KS 66675-0658.
Newcomer Family Funeral Home is assisting the Family with the arrangements.
Online Condolences may be shares with the family at www.funeralchoice.com
Dorothy met her future husband in Manhattan while Jep was stationed at Ft Riley. At the time she was working at the DeChairo Hospital in Westmoreland. A year later she did post-graduate training in Operating Room (OR) procedures in Philadelphia, PA. She became OR supervisor at the Security Benefit Association Hospital in Topeka in 1945. In 1946 she worked in the Berkley Hospital in Berkley, CA. While working there, Jep returned from the Pacific and together they flew back to Westmoreland and were married on October 1, 1946, the wedding anniversary date of her parents. Dorothy had the shortest nursing career in her class-2 years.
She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star #209 (Manhattan) for over 60 years having joined at the age of 18. She belonged to all the Military Wives Clubs where she and Jep were stationed including Ft Lee, VA, Ft Buchanan, Puerto Rico, Ft Richardson, Alaska, Ft Leavenworth, KS, Bad Kruesnach and Kaislautern and Vint Hills Farm Station, VA, Germany as well as the Quartermaster Wives Club, Washington D.C. and the greater Washington D.C. Officer Wives Club.
She served for several years as a Red Cross volunteer at the DeWitt Army Hospital Pharmacy, Ft Belvoir, VA and the Fairfax County Shelter for the Homeless. She was active in the PTA, was a Cub Scout Den Mother for several years and a room mother for all 3 of her children. Her hobbies include gardening, tennis, and traveling. The family went on a luxurious cruise aboard the SS United States to Europe where they visited 11 countries. They have been to all of the 50 states in the US and drove back from Alaska on the Alcan Highway visiting 15 places enroute. She joined the Unity of Fairfax Church in VA in the 1980's.
She was a very loving mother and extremely proud of the achievements of her children and grandchildren. She really enjoyed watching and taking care of the wild birds and wild animals in their picturesque backyard.
She is survived by her husband, Warren H Jepson Sr (Colonel, U.S. Army Retired) at the home, one daughter, Pamela Jepson, Centerville, VA. Two Sons: Warren Jepson Jr and his wife, Maria of St Charles, IL. Also Barry W Jepson and his wife, Jill, of Harveyville, KS. 3 Grandsons, Christopher Jepson, Chicago, IL. Beau Jepson, Lawrence, KS and Alex Jepson, Harveyville, KS.
4 Granddaughters: Andrea Jepson, Las Vegas, NV. Laurel Jepson, Lenexa, KS. Natalie Jepson, KC, MO. Catherine Jepson, Harveyville, KS.
Memorial Services will be held at the Unity Church of Christianity, Topeka, at 1:30 PM on Saturday, April3rd, 2004. The cremated remains will be interned at Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium, Arlington, VA. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Unity Church of Christianity, 9126 SW 10th St
Topeka, KS 66675-0658.
Newcomer Family Funeral Home is assisting the Family with the arrangements.
Online Condolences may be shares with the family at www.funeralchoice.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dorothy Jepson, please visit our flower store.
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