Dorothy "Dot" Burley
(December 31, 1928 ~ October 2, 2011)
Dorothy "Dot" Burley passed away quietly in her home in Akron on Sunday October 2, 2011. Her family ties with Akron go far back. Both her grandfather and her father homesteaded farms south of town. Dot, the daughter of Hans and Alice Knutzen, was the youngest of their six children. She went to Antelope Springs, a one-room school house on the prairie and then attended Akron high school where she met the love of her life, Les Burley. Married shortly after graduation, the couple lived in town where Dot worked as the switchboard operator. In 1949 Les and Dot moved to Denver, joining a tight-knit community of aunts, uncles and cousins who had also moved from Akron. They lived in Denver for 42 years where they raised their two children, Linda and Jerry.
The couple lived a life that was devoted to family and to community. They and the children all fished and camped together on weekends and did virtually everything else with this same spirit of closeness. This sense of togetherness extended out to the much larger family circle that they lived in. Aunts, uncles, cousins and many others would frequently get together for day long picnics at local parks. There were constant such get-togethers of all sorts throughout the years. This same devotion to others extended to Dot's parents as well. For while the couple was busy with the duties of raising a family in Denver, Dot and Les never failed to return to Akron, often every weekend, to take care of Dot's ailing parents or to attend to their needs as they arose. Many weekends were also spent at Dot's brother's farm enjoying times together with her dear sister-in-law Hazel Knutzen. Devotion to community was equally strong, for throughout the years, Dot, along with Les, helped out in the greater community, assisting with local Elks or simply lending a hand to any individual or a worthwhile project, with no expectation of anything in return.
Together, as a couple, Dot and Les enjoyed simply spending time together. Fishing in the mountains was their great joy but even more, they enjoyed their woodworking. Setting up two lathes, and working side by side, the couple collected unique woods and created beautiful items including vases, cutting boards and other artistic creations. Their little company was called "BurDot" reflecting a union and a loving togetherness that extended through their lives, their creations and their family life. Their greatest joy, however, was to be and to laugh with their three beloved grandchildren. Nothing brightened up Dot's life more than to be with them and to see them grow. Not to be outshone, her children Jerry and Linda were her true pride and joy.
When Les developed a serious illness in the early 1990's, the couple left Denver and bought a home here, on Custer and Fifth. Les passed away shortly thereafter and Dot spent her remaining years in Akron, continuing to do what she had always done, participating in the community, bowling and playing bridge with friends and, up until the time that she was no longer able, serving Meals On Wheels to seniors in town. For many such elderly recipients of her goodwill and help, it turned out that Dot was older than some of the people she drove around town bringing meals to. But in her remaining two years, Dot herself, became homebound and she passed away after a long illness.
As you might expect from a woman such as Dot, the friends and relatives she leaves behind, even with Dot in her 80's, are too numerous to note. Surviving her are her two sister-in-law's, Barb Oliver and Pat Kerns, both sisters of Les but in just as many ways, sisters of Dot herself. There are too many other cousins, nieces and nephews to name. As to immediate family, Dot is survived by her daughter, Linda Garofallou and her husband Jim of Montclair, NJ; her son Jerry Burley and Cindy VonFeldt of Arvada; three especially beloved grandchildren: Jessica Taggart and her husband Fred, Jill Jamison and her husband Kevin and Joline Burley. Last and very dear to her heart, are her two great-grandchildren, Sierra and Wyatt Jamison. A memorial service was held Saturday, October 8, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church of Akron. Inurnment followed at Akron Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of the Plains, or to Meals on Wheels.
(December 31, 1928 ~ October 2, 2011)
Dorothy "Dot" Burley passed away quietly in her home in Akron on Sunday October 2, 2011. Her family ties with Akron go far back. Both her grandfather and her father homesteaded farms south of town. Dot, the daughter of Hans and Alice Knutzen, was the youngest of their six children. She went to Antelope Springs, a one-room school house on the prairie and then attended Akron high school where she met the love of her life, Les Burley. Married shortly after graduation, the couple lived in town where Dot worked as the switchboard operator. In 1949 Les and Dot moved to Denver, joining a tight-knit community of aunts, uncles and cousins who had also moved from Akron. They lived in Denver for 42 years where they raised their two children, Linda and Jerry.
The couple lived a life that was devoted to family and to community. They and the children all fished and camped together on weekends and did virtually everything else with this same spirit of closeness. This sense of togetherness extended out to the much larger family circle that they lived in. Aunts, uncles, cousins and many others would frequently get together for day long picnics at local parks. There were constant such get-togethers of all sorts throughout the years. This same devotion to others extended to Dot's parents as well. For while the couple was busy with the duties of raising a family in Denver, Dot and Les never failed to return to Akron, often every weekend, to take care of Dot's ailing parents or to attend to their needs as they arose. Many weekends were also spent at Dot's brother's farm enjoying times together with her dear sister-in-law Hazel Knutzen. Devotion to community was equally strong, for throughout the years, Dot, along with Les, helped out in the greater community, assisting with local Elks or simply lending a hand to any individual or a worthwhile project, with no expectation of anything in return.
Together, as a couple, Dot and Les enjoyed simply spending time together. Fishing in the mountains was their great joy but even more, they enjoyed their woodworking. Setting up two lathes, and working side by side, the couple collected unique woods and created beautiful items including vases, cutting boards and other artistic creations. Their little company was called "BurDot" reflecting a union and a loving togetherness that extended through their lives, their creations and their family life. Their greatest joy, however, was to be and to laugh with their three beloved grandchildren. Nothing brightened up Dot's life more than to be with them and to see them grow. Not to be outshone, her children Jerry and Linda were her true pride and joy.
When Les developed a serious illness in the early 1990's, the couple left Denver and bought a home here, on Custer and Fifth. Les passed away shortly thereafter and Dot spent her remaining years in Akron, continuing to do what she had always done, participating in the community, bowling and playing bridge with friends and, up until the time that she was no longer able, serving Meals On Wheels to seniors in town. For many such elderly recipients of her goodwill and help, it turned out that Dot was older than some of the people she drove around town bringing meals to. But in her remaining two years, Dot herself, became homebound and she passed away after a long illness.
As you might expect from a woman such as Dot, the friends and relatives she leaves behind, even with Dot in her 80's, are too numerous to note. Surviving her are her two sister-in-law's, Barb Oliver and Pat Kerns, both sisters of Les but in just as many ways, sisters of Dot herself. There are too many other cousins, nieces and nephews to name. As to immediate family, Dot is survived by her daughter, Linda Garofallou and her husband Jim of Montclair, NJ; her son Jerry Burley and Cindy VonFeldt of Arvada; three especially beloved grandchildren: Jessica Taggart and her husband Fred, Jill Jamison and her husband Kevin and Joline Burley. Last and very dear to her heart, are her two great-grandchildren, Sierra and Wyatt Jamison. A memorial service was held Saturday, October 8, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church of Akron. Inurnment followed at Akron Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of the Plains, or to Meals on Wheels.
Dorothy "Dot" Burley
(December 31, 1928 ~ October 2, 2011)
Dorothy "Dot" Burley passed away quietly in her home in Akron on Sunday October 2, 2011. Her family ties with Akron go far back. Both her grandfather and her father homesteaded farms south of town. Dot, the daughter of Hans and Alice Knutzen, was the youngest of their six children. She went to Antelope Springs, a one-room school house on the prairie and then attended Akron high school where she met the love of her life, Les Burley. Married shortly after graduation, the couple lived in town where Dot worked as the switchboard operator. In 1949 Les and Dot moved to Denver, joining a tight-knit community of aunts, uncles and cousins who had also moved from Akron. They lived in Denver for 42 years where they raised their two children, Linda and Jerry.
The couple lived a life that was devoted to family and to community. They and the children all fished and camped together on weekends and did virtually everything else with this same spirit of closeness. This sense of togetherness extended out to the much larger family circle that they lived in. Aunts, uncles, cousins and many others would frequently get together for day long picnics at local parks. There were constant such get-togethers of all sorts throughout the years. This same devotion to others extended to Dot's parents as well. For while the couple was busy with the duties of raising a family in Denver, Dot and Les never failed to return to Akron, often every weekend, to take care of Dot's ailing parents or to attend to their needs as they arose. Many weekends were also spent at Dot's brother's farm enjoying times together with her dear sister-in-law Hazel Knutzen. Devotion to community was equally strong, for throughout the years, Dot, along with Les, helped out in the greater community, assisting with local Elks or simply lending a hand to any individual or a worthwhile project, with no expectation of anything in return.
Together, as a couple, Dot and Les enjoyed simply spending time together. Fishing in the mountains was their great joy but even more, they enjoyed their woodworking. Setting up two lathes, and working side by side, the couple collected unique woods and created beautiful items including vases, cutting boards and other artistic creations. Their little company was called "BurDot" reflecting a union and a loving togetherness that extended through their lives, their creations and their family life. Their greatest joy, however, was to be and to laugh with their three beloved grandchildren. Nothing brightened up Dot's life more than to be with them and to see them grow. Not to be outshone, her children Jerry and Linda were her true pride and joy.
When Les developed a serious illness in the early 1990's, the couple left Denver and bought a home here, on Custer and Fifth. Les passed away shortly thereafter and Dot spent her remaining years in Akron, continuing to do what she had always done, participating in the community, bowling and playing bridge with friends and, up until the time that she was no longer able, serving Meals On Wheels to seniors in town. For many such elderly recipients of her goodwill and help, it turned out that Dot was older than some of the people she drove around town bringing meals to. But in her remaining two years, Dot herself, became homebound and she passed away after a long illness.
As you might expect from a woman such as Dot, the friends and relatives she leaves behind, even with Dot in her 80's, are too numerous to note. Surviving her are her two sister-in-law's, Barb Oliver and Pat Kerns, both sisters of Les but in just as many ways, sisters of Dot herself. There are too many other cousins, nieces and nephews to name. As to immediate family, Dot is survived by her daughter, Linda Garofallou and her husband Jim of Montclair, NJ; her son Jerry Burley and Cindy VonFeldt of Arvada; three especially beloved grandchildren: Jessica Taggart and her husband Fred, Jill Jamison and her husband Kevin and Joline Burley. Last and very dear to her heart, are her two great-grandchildren, Sierra and Wyatt Jamison. A memorial service was held Saturday, October 8, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church of Akron. Inurnment followed at Akron Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of the Plains, or to Meals on Wheels.
(December 31, 1928 ~ October 2, 2011)
Dorothy "Dot" Burley passed away quietly in her home in Akron on Sunday October 2, 2011. Her family ties with Akron go far back. Both her grandfather and her father homesteaded farms south of town. Dot, the daughter of Hans and Alice Knutzen, was the youngest of their six children. She went to Antelope Springs, a one-room school house on the prairie and then attended Akron high school where she met the love of her life, Les Burley. Married shortly after graduation, the couple lived in town where Dot worked as the switchboard operator. In 1949 Les and Dot moved to Denver, joining a tight-knit community of aunts, uncles and cousins who had also moved from Akron. They lived in Denver for 42 years where they raised their two children, Linda and Jerry.
The couple lived a life that was devoted to family and to community. They and the children all fished and camped together on weekends and did virtually everything else with this same spirit of closeness. This sense of togetherness extended out to the much larger family circle that they lived in. Aunts, uncles, cousins and many others would frequently get together for day long picnics at local parks. There were constant such get-togethers of all sorts throughout the years. This same devotion to others extended to Dot's parents as well. For while the couple was busy with the duties of raising a family in Denver, Dot and Les never failed to return to Akron, often every weekend, to take care of Dot's ailing parents or to attend to their needs as they arose. Many weekends were also spent at Dot's brother's farm enjoying times together with her dear sister-in-law Hazel Knutzen. Devotion to community was equally strong, for throughout the years, Dot, along with Les, helped out in the greater community, assisting with local Elks or simply lending a hand to any individual or a worthwhile project, with no expectation of anything in return.
Together, as a couple, Dot and Les enjoyed simply spending time together. Fishing in the mountains was their great joy but even more, they enjoyed their woodworking. Setting up two lathes, and working side by side, the couple collected unique woods and created beautiful items including vases, cutting boards and other artistic creations. Their little company was called "BurDot" reflecting a union and a loving togetherness that extended through their lives, their creations and their family life. Their greatest joy, however, was to be and to laugh with their three beloved grandchildren. Nothing brightened up Dot's life more than to be with them and to see them grow. Not to be outshone, her children Jerry and Linda were her true pride and joy.
When Les developed a serious illness in the early 1990's, the couple left Denver and bought a home here, on Custer and Fifth. Les passed away shortly thereafter and Dot spent her remaining years in Akron, continuing to do what she had always done, participating in the community, bowling and playing bridge with friends and, up until the time that she was no longer able, serving Meals On Wheels to seniors in town. For many such elderly recipients of her goodwill and help, it turned out that Dot was older than some of the people she drove around town bringing meals to. But in her remaining two years, Dot herself, became homebound and she passed away after a long illness.
As you might expect from a woman such as Dot, the friends and relatives she leaves behind, even with Dot in her 80's, are too numerous to note. Surviving her are her two sister-in-law's, Barb Oliver and Pat Kerns, both sisters of Les but in just as many ways, sisters of Dot herself. There are too many other cousins, nieces and nephews to name. As to immediate family, Dot is survived by her daughter, Linda Garofallou and her husband Jim of Montclair, NJ; her son Jerry Burley and Cindy VonFeldt of Arvada; three especially beloved grandchildren: Jessica Taggart and her husband Fred, Jill Jamison and her husband Kevin and Joline Burley. Last and very dear to her heart, are her two great-grandchildren, Sierra and Wyatt Jamison. A memorial service was held Saturday, October 8, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church of Akron. Inurnment followed at Akron Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of the Plains, or to Meals on Wheels.
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