Dorothy “Dottie” May Nazarenus, of Philomath, OR, passed away on October 17th, 2023, at the age of 85. Dottie was born on May, 14th 1938 in Denver, Colorado to her loving parents Victor and Dorothy Nazarenus. After graduating Wheat Ridge High School, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Music at the University of Denver. Soon after, she attended the U.S. Naval Women’s Officer School and became a Navy Officer. She continued her education at The Citadel in South Carolina and received her Master’s in Business Administration. She also worked for the City of Fort Collins.
Her interests were far reaching. She regularly attended the American Baptist Church in Fort Collins and then the Redeemer Lutheran Church as a devoted Christian. In her Navy career, she traveled to Japan, the Philippines, Boston, and Hawaii, among other locations. Dottie’s adventurous spirit took her all over the country in her RV with her cherished pets at her side. She also played in the New Horizons Band and the Loveland Concert Band, sharing her love of music. At different times in her life, she played accordion, piano, clarinet, organ, drums, sax and tenor sax. Her beloved home at the Ptarmigan Country Club gave her the opportunity to frequently engage in golfing and gardening. Dottie was also a skier, pilot, and sports car driver.
She will be remembered by her younger sister Victoria “Vikki” Nazarenus (or as Dottie affectionately called her “Kid”), as a loving and protective sister with a generous heart and quick wit. She will be remembered by her niece Victoria (Daniel), nephew Justin, niece Amy (Josh), grand-nephew Wendell and grand-niece Ramona as an enthusiast for the arts, an inspiring adventurer, and as someone who loved kids. She will be missed by her friends, loved ones and community as someone whose table could always fit another person and to whose humor could always draw another laugh.
Services will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 10:00AM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80227, followed by full military funeral honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, CO 80236, and a reception back at Horan & McConaty following the interment.