Dorthey Nichelson

Dorthey “Dottie” Nichelson, 82, of Topeka, passed away on the morning of Monday, March 20, 2023 at Lighthouse Lodge in Fort Worth, Texas.  She was born on December 7, 1940 in Lawrence, Kansas to Harrison and Mary-Violet Rose.

At the age of 16 she met the love her life, Virgil "Buddy" Nichelson on a Saturday and were married the next Saturday, on June 29, 1957 in Topeka.

Dottie and Buddy enjoyed many pastimes, from painting, woodworking, restoring homes, spoiling their grandchildren, square dancing, hot air balloons, garage sales, playing Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause, and she spent her life trying to make people smile.  She also had different occupations from working at St. Francis Hospital to yearbook Page Layout at Jostens yearbook where she retired.

She was preceded in death by Buddy, her beloved husband of 62 years; parents, Harrison and Mary-Violet Rose; siblings, Vera, Eugene, Philip, David, Helen, Faye, Delores, Hannah, and Esther.

Those left to cherish Dottie's memories are her brother and sister, Sam and Betty; three daughters, Connie (Daniel) Cook, Bedford, TX, Cindy (Kevin) Markley, Wakarusa, KS, and Karen (Ron) Gilbreath, Crowley, TX; six grandchildren, Leah (David) Obenour, Jared Cook, Brent (Kelly) Markley, Corey Markley, Rachel Dieringer, and Justin (Ashley) Gilbreath; and twelve great-grandchildren.

Graveside services are scheduled for May 27, 2023 for family and friends at Meriden Cemetery in Meriden, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Topeka Baptist Church, 4500 SW Gage Blvd. Topeka, Kansas 66610, www.topekabaptist.org.