Gibbons, Dorothy Mills – 1917-2012

GIBBONS, HILTON, MILLS

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/16/2024 at 13:12:54

Dorothy, 95, a 62 year resident of Johnston, died of a stroke on September 4, 2012, in Overland Park, KS. She was born in Mitchell, SD, on January 21, 1917, to Clara May and William Mills as the fourth of ten children. Dorothy grew up on a South Dakota farm where she graduated from Rapid City HS in 1932, and attended Green's Beauty School. In Worland, WY, she married Maurice Gibbons. They had two sons, Gary and Ronald. In 1947, they moved to Johnston, where they had two additional children, Randy and Jane. A series of events tested this vivacious and outgoing mother. An auto accident killed her ten year old son Ronald in 1953. Her 43 year old husband suffered a severe heart attack in 1957, and four year old Randy suffered life threatening burns in 1959. Dorothy continued to support and encourage her children to finish college. After Maurice (d.1998), Dorothy continued to care for the one acre home, growing fruits and vegetables, and producing a variety of flowers in the well manicured yard. Dorothy took pleasure and proudly supported several fund raising events at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. In addition to three surviving children, Gary (Kathie), Castle Rock, CO, Randy (Denise), Breckenridge, CO, and Jane Hilton (Barry), Overland Park, KS, she leaves three grandchildren, Gary Gibbons II (Beth), Blake and Heidi Hilton and two great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Molly Gibbons. Dorothy was loved and admired by family and friends. We will sorely miss her. Memorials to St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. No services.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Sunday, September 9, 2012, page 8B