Dorothy Delores Barth Klinkhammer, at 91 years of age, died peacefully in her sleep and entered her eternal life with Jesus Friday, February 12th, 2016. Dorothy was a resident of Mary’s Woods Retirement Community in Lake Oswego, Oregon. She was a survivor who battled and defeated cancer five different times during her remarkable life. We miss you mom, you deserve this long awaited rest!

Dorothy was born April 10th, 1924 in Portland Oregon to Edward J. and Helen Diehl Barth, one of five siblings. She lived her entire life in the Portland area, graduating from St. Rose Elementary School and Holy Child Academy before attending business college. She spent many summer vacations in Mt. Angel, Oregon with her favorite aunt Veronica (“Fronnie”), who affectionately nicknamed her “Dotsie”. While staying in Mt. Angel, she would help with the seasonal hop harvest and other crops from nearby farms.

On May 1, 1948 she married Adolph G. (Rudy) Klinkhammer from Adrian, Minnesota. Dorothy and Rudy settled in SE Portland, where they raised three children and attended St. Ignatius Catholic Church.

Dorothy’s working career began at Bekins Moving and Storage. In the early 1950s she worked as one of the “Tobey Girls” at the Kenneth Tobey Insurance Agency. After staying at home to raise her family she spent over 30 years as the office manager for Van Veen Rhododendron Nursery. Dorothy was proud of being the editor and proof reader for Ted Van Veen’s industry recognized compendium “Rhododendrons in America”.

Dorothy’s Catholic faith and upbringing were very important to her. She was one of the first female lay people designated as a Eucharistic minister. She was excited to serve in this capacity while attending Mass each Sunday and for many years delivered communion to those from her church community unable to attend Mass. Her hobbies included sewing, card games (especially Pinochle) and travel to Hawaii and Europe.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter Mary Hibbs, (Rick), sons Carl Klinkhammer and Marty Klinkhammer (Joan), brother Joseph Barth (Pat) and sister Virginia Walters (Bob). “Grammy” was also blessed with eight grandchildren, Aaron Hibbs, Peter Hibbs, Isaac Hibbs, Hannah Whaley, Marisa Springer, Connor Russell, Grace Klinkhammer and Evan Klinkhammer, and 15 great grandchildren. She deeply loved each and every one of them and enjoyed watching them grow.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Rudy, who died in 1967, sister Marie who died in 2000 and brother Donny, who passed away at 18 months old when Dorothy was a young girl.

A memorial service celebrating Dorothy’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, February 19th in the Chapel of the Holy Names at Mary’s Woods Provincial House, 17400 Holy Names Drive, Lake Oswego, OR 97034. She will rest with her beloved husband Rudy at Willamette National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy’s name to Blanchet House, 310 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209.

Memorial Service

Friday February 19, 2016 , 1:00pm at Chapel of the Holy Names at Mary’s Woods Provincial House

Facts Born: April 10, 1924
Death: February 12, 2016

Memorial Donations Memorial donations can be made to:
Blanchet House, 310 NW Glisan St., Portland, OR 97209