Dorothy Bokan

Dorothy Bokan 

Dorothy’s angels carried her to her eternal home in heaven on January 30, 2021.  Dorothy was born on November 19, 1923 to Henry and Martha Klott in Hermann, Missouri.

She was raised on the family farm along with her 9 siblings where she learned the love of God, love of family, value of hard work, and caring for others which she shared with her children.  She graduated from Hermann high school, later attended St. Louis University where she studied various laboratory courses and some nursing classes.  She used that knowledge in working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad hospital. She later worked as the records librarian at St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado.  Dorothy was always an adventurer and loved to travel. While traveling to Denver from St. Louis on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, she met the love of her life, whom she later married: John J. Bokan. Dorothy was a devoted wife and mother dedicating her time to raising her family and supporting her husband. They raised 3 children, John A., Vicki Lynn, and Geoffrey. Dorothy also found time to work for the County Clerk’s office in Jefferson County Colorado.

In the midst of raising her family, John was transferred to Gallup, New Mexico where another chapter in Dorothy’s life unfolded.  New opportunities opened for Dorothy to share her talents and caring with so many others. She was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary for 10 years at the Gallup-McKinley County hospital. She held many offices including president. She was a “pink lady” volunteer at the hospital who not only assisted the staff and patients but was responsible for training the high school students in becoming “candy stripers” at the hospital.  She was a board member, becoming President of United Way of McKinley County responsible for fund raising.  Dorothy was a flight attendant on private aircrafts transporting Native Americans who were either being discharged from a hospital to home or a clinic to home or the hospital from various locations on the reservation.  Many was the time they were just dirt road landing strips. She went as far as Phoenix, T or C, El Paso, Salt Lake, Denver, Albuquerque, and Gallup. Dorothy was a a member of Chapter C and Chapter X of P.E.O helping young women to achieve their life goals, becoming president of both chapters. Dorothy was an active member of the Republican party. She was the Vice-Chair of the McKinley County Republican party, helped at campaign offices, distributed flyers, and worked at the voting sights. She also was active in her church life.  She was director of St. Mary’s altar guild for 14 years, and was on various boards of Episcopal Church Women.  When she finally decided to “retire” she took a 9-day white-water rafting trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, without an escort!  She and John loved to travel and visited many locations in the world: Hawaii, Alaska, Germany, Spain, Portugal, France and England along with many excursions inside the United States. After the death of her husband in 2006, she embarked on a boating vacation through the canals of France and Germany and seeing the country of her ancestors. She loved celebrations, especially with her family and loved ones. There was always an open door, an open bed, and food on the table for any friends or family that dropped in. 

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Martha, her 9 siblings Clarence, Roman, Lucille, Bernice, Francis, Elmer, Alfred, Julius, and Esther and a granddaughter Tiffany. Her survivors are her children: Dr. John A. (Kathleen), Vicki Lynn Dahn, Geoffrey (Deborah); her grandchildren Nicole, Meagan, Christina, Natalie, Elizabeth and Joe; her great grandchildren Xander, Corbin, Boden, Amelia, Clara and Crosby.  The family would like to thank Hospice of New Mexico for their wonderful care of Dorothy’s medical needs and their compassionate care.  Also, our heartfelt thanks to Beehive Homes at Volcano Cliffs for their loving and selfless care of Dorothy, and for making her feel like family. Both were always there for Dorothy.

Memorial service plans are still pending. 

We ask in lieu of flowers to please send donations to Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri (cottey.edu), St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee (stjude.org), or St. Mary’s Episcopal church in Albuquerque (1500 Chelwood Park Blvd NE, 87112).