Dottie Louise Dunkelberger

Dottie Louise Dunkelberger, age 86, passed away on July 17, 2023 in Plano, Texas. She was born on November 23, 1936 in Gorman, Texas to Walter Samuel and Effie Mae (Gunn) Snead. Dottie was raised in Midland, Texas and graduated from Midland High School in 1955 where she played Volleyball and was active in many clubs. She traveled to Paris in 1955 to represent Midland at the International Tri-Hi-Y conference, babysitting the children of George and Barbara Bush to earn her way there.

She graduated from Texas Christian University in 1959 with a bachelor's in Commerce. She was a member and president of the Kappa Delta Sorority, as well as a member of Student Congress at TCU. After college, she was an Administrative Assistant for a law firm in Dallas. She married Alden L. Dunkelberger in 1960 at First Community Church of Dallas and the couple had 3 daughters, Greta Hill of Farmersville, Texas, Heidi Smith of Allen, Texas and Kristen Dunkelberger of Savoie, France. Dottie enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom for a time while the girls were young. She later worked as a sewing instructor at Stretch 'N Sew, which was a dream job for a while, since she loved to sew. Eventually she became employed at the University of Texas at Dallas as an Administrative Assistant. Dottie loved her 20 years at UTD, forming many lifelong friendships.

Dottie and Al enjoyed a rich marriage, where they participated in many activities together, including bowling league, tennis, camping and traveling. As Al was an avid scuba diver, Dottie traveled along to premiere dive destinations and enjoyed lots of beach time and social events with Al's diving buddies and their spouses. Sadly, she lost Al in 2015 to pulmonary fibrosis. She has lived at various Independent Senior Living places since 2015, making friends everywhere. Dottie never knew a stranger, she had the gift of gab and could strike up a conversation with anyone. In 2016 she developed a companionship with Frank Gartner, with whom she enjoyed working crosswords, senior living activities and watching classic movies.

Over the years, Dottie served in many roles to support her daughters, including being a girl scout leader, taking them to dance and sports practices and encouraging them to spend time in service to others. She made sure each daughter learned to sew. Dottie found joy in the beauty of nature and she planned activities to share that love of nature with her daughters. She loved gardening and watching birds, especially the hummingbirds!

She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taking care of them and volunteering at her grandchildren's school.

She is preceded in death by her father, mother, brother Billie Lee Snead, and her husband Al.

Dottie is survived by daughters Greta Hill and son-in-law Richard Hill of Farmersville, Tx; Heidi Smith and son-in-law Byron Smith of Allen, Tx; and Kristen Dunkelberger and partner Steve Vreeburg of Savoie, France. Also surviving: Grandchildren Stefani Starnater, Jimmy Starnater and wife Heather Starnater, Shelby Starnater, Ingrid Haack and husband Sheldon Haack, Luke Nelson, Darian Corwin and husband Brent Corwin, Ryan Smith, Bria Smith, Raegan Smith and Great-Grandchildren, Tanner, Nolin, Khloie, Anakin, Aidan, Kora and Ezekiel.

In lieu of flowers, make a donation to the charity of your choice.

A memorial service for Dottie will be held Monday, July 24, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, 7990 President George Bush, Turnpike, Dallas, TX 75252, followed by a reception from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.