Dorothea Florence Guse passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 13, 2014 with family by her side. She was 85 years of age. Dorothea, the youngest of seven children, was born to August and Amelia Guse on December 10, 1929. Dorothea was baptized and confirmed in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Yorkton, SK. She received her education at Burke School, Yorkton Collegiate, Luther College, University of Saskatchewan, University of Toronto and later completed her Masters in Social Work from Berkley University in California. Her career in Social Work found her working in Yorkton, North Battleford and Regina, SK and Los Angeles, USA as a Medical Social Worker. She completed her career with Social Services in Vancouver, BC. Dorothea was an outgoing person with a good sense of humour. She loved working with people and was well liked. Her clients were very important to her. She showed empathy, insight and interest in people. Dorothea was an accomplished pianist. She was both an organist and choir director at St. Paul Lutheran Church. She loved to play the piano and lead family sing-a-longs. Dorothea spent most of her adult life in Vancouver. She and her friend, Audrey Clements owned a cottage at Point Roberts, Washington, USA. They loved spending weekends, holidays and later their retirement at the cottage. They tended their magnificent flower garden and loved to entertain family and friends. Many days were spent combing the beaches in search of shells, rocks, agates and driftwood all down the Oregon Coastline. They watched many a sunset over the Pacific ocean. Dorothea enjoyed walking, reading, crossword puzzles, concerts, movies and family gatherings. She travelled extensively in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe and Africa. In her early 60's Dorothea was diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease. She continued to enjoy her retirement in Vancouver and Point Roberts. In the latter years, when the disease progressed, her sister, Helen brought Dorothea home to Yorkton. Dorothea entered the Yorkton & District Nursing Home, where she resided until her passing. Dorothea was predeceased by her parents, August and Amelia Guse; her siblings and their spouses, Ida (Jack) Lutcher, Adeline (Paul) Leinweber, William Guse, Edna (Herbert) Hanson, Arthur (Joan) Guse and Helen Guse; nieces, Lora Lutcher and Sharon Guse-Boyd; nephew, Jack Leinweber and great-niece, Julie Geib. She leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory, her friend, Audrey Clements; her sister-in-law, Lydia Guse; nieces and nephews, Norman (Elaine) Lutcher, Janice (Ben) Schemool, Linda Guse, Lorna (Eugene) Brokopiw, Diana (Terry) Locke, Kenneth (Tammy) Guse, Robert (Diane) Guse, Ronald (Naomi) Guse, Donald Leinweber, Dan Boyd as well as many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral Services were held on Friday, May 15, 2015 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Ray Yost, Parish Worker, St. Paul Lutheran Church officiating. Reading the scriptures were nephews, Robert and Ronald Guse. Words of tribute and eulogy were shared by niece, Diana Locke, Remembrances of Dorothea's life were shared by great-niece, Donna Gorecki (who also read a tribute written by friend, Audrey Clements) and Elaine Lutcher shared her remembrances and read "Footprints". The organist, Carla Laycock, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Morning Has Broken", "In the Garden", "In the Bulb There is a Flower" and "Beyond the Sunset". Special music was provided by Ray Yost and Joleen Cherland who sang "Whispering Hope". Following a luncheon in the Gunn Reception Room at Christie's Funeral Home, the Cremation Committal took place in the Yorkton City Cemetery, Yorkton, SK with nephew, Kenneth Guse serving as the urn bearer. Memorial donations honouring Dorothea's life may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or the Saskatchewan Alzheimer Association. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
