Dorothy Eileen (Swanger) MENGE

SWANGER, MENGE, STOCKTON, SHEERAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/8/2007 at 20:26:56

Daily Sentinel, Grand Junction, Colorado
October 4, 2007

Dorothy Eileen Menge February 26, 1920 - October 1, 2007 After a lifetime of being a wife, mother, teacher and church worker, Dorothy Menge of Fruita, Colorado went to be with her heavenly Father on October 1, 2007. She was 87 years old. Dorothy was born on February 26, 1920 to Minnie and Milo Swanger in Clarion, Iowa. She spent her entire youth in Clarion and enjoyed participating in several plays during high school. Following graduation, she attended Minnesota Bible College and earned a BA in Bible. In January 1943 she traveled with friends to Enid, Oklahoma where they all planned to attend Phillips University. Shortly after arriving, she met George Menge, a seminary student, and they were married on June 9, 1943. Following George's graduation they spent the next five years holding revival meetings in various states where Dorothy would present dramatic readings to the congregations and hold after school bible programs for children. When their son reached school age in 1950, they settled in Rangely, Colorado, where Dorothy taught school for 34 years, was engaged in church work and raised five children. Because Minnesota Bible College was not accredited, Dorothy was eventually required to start college all over again and get a degree in education. She accomplished this through several years of correspondence and summer classes, while maintaining a straight A average. Earning a BA in Education and a Masters in Guidance and Counseling from Western State College was a proud accomplishment. In 1990 George and Dorothy retired and moved to Fruita, CO. Within a few weeks she was asked to serve as director of the seniors group at Northeast Christian Church and spent 14 years organizing events, developing outreach programs and traveling throughout the state and country on Seniors trips. Dorothy was the originator and driving force behind the annual Christmas pageant "Bethlehem Revisited "at Northeast Christian Church. Her love of travel took her to Israel, Egypt, Greece, Japan, China, India, Canada, Mexico, and most of the United States. Dorothy loved flowers and enjoyed working in her small flower garden after retirement. Being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren gave her much happiness. Her love and devotion will be greatly missed.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years George Menge and son Stephen Menge. She is survived by four children, Dan (Joyce) Menge of Lynchburg, Virginia; David (Debbie) Menge of Lawton, Oklahoma; Beth (Owen) Stockton and Shallini (Tom) Sheeran both of Grand Junction. Dorothy leaves behind 11 grandchildren plus four great grandchildren. A funeral service will be held Friday, October 5, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Northeast Christian Church with Pastor David Menge conducting the service. Burial will be at the new Elmwood Cemetery in Fruita, followed by a reception luncheon at Fruita Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Kulpahar Kids' Home, c/o Shallini Sheeran, 710 Canyon Creek Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81503. Arrangements entrusted to Snell-McLean Funeral Home.