Doris Gloria (Palmer) Botts, 87, died peacefully at home in Overland Park, KS, on January 1, 2018. Family and friends will celebrate her life with an Eastern Star memorial service offered by Adah Chapter #52 on Saturday, March 24 at a time and location to be determined in Omaha, NE. The family will receive friends at a reception following the ceremony. Doris wished to be cremated, and her family will scatter her ashes in several places meaningful to her, including Rocky Mountain and Glacier National Parks. In lieu of flowers, her family suggests contributions to the Shawnee Mission Health Foundation, 7315 Frontage Rd., Suite 221, Shawnee Mission, KS 66204. Doris was born December 1, 1930, and raised on a farm near Walnut, IA. She graduated from Lewis High School in 1948 and decided to attend nursing school, but illness kept her from completing her training. Doris married Lyman Eugene (Gene) Botts on September 9th, 1950, just prior to his leaving for service in Korea as a member of the 101st Airborne. Doris and Gene raised their family in Omaha, welcoming Larry, Shellee, Colin, Colleen and Laurie between 1952 and 1959. Doris retired after more than 30 years of service at the Metropolitan Utilities District in Omaha. She moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas, and enjoyed an active retirement. She played golf, bowled and took many group tours and cruises. During several summers, Doris closed up her Arkansas home and made her way West, where she worked in the gift shop at East Glacier Lodge in Glacier National Park. She chose this park because she knew that her parents had met there. On her days off, she hiked the park’s trails, visited each lodge area several times, and took many boat rides and sightseeing trips throughout the park and its surrounding area. Doris was a fifty-year member of the Order of Eastern Star and served two terms as Worthy Matron of Adah Chapter #52 in Omaha. While in Arkansas, she was active in the Bentonville Past Matron’s Club. She also enjoyed volunteering as an usher at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville and kept her own photo log of construction of the Crystal Bridges Museum from one of her favorite nearby walking trails. In 2005 she became a charter member of Arkansas’ first senior living co-op, The Plaza at Highlands Crossing. She was a dedicated volunteer on several committees and a proud member of its Board of Directors. Her years in Bella Vista brought many cherished friendships and meaningful experiences to Doris’ life. She moved to Overland Park in 2016 to be closer to family. Doris was preceded in death by her husband; her parents, George McKinley and Dina Angelica (Bakke) Palmer and one great grandson, Tyis Thomas Botts. Survivors include her brother, Gordon Palmer, Sandy Hook, CT; her sons Larry (Cathy) Botts, Mission Hills, KS and Colin (Annette) Botts, Houston, TX; her daughters Shellee (Beth Kennon) Botts, Kansas City, MO; Colleen (Billy) Wiggers, North Platte, NE; and Laurie (Randy) Weigel, North Platte, NE; 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and loving friends. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.floralhillsfuneralhome.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18