Dorothy Marlys (Wenzel) French, 101, Sturgis, SD, passed away on August 1, 2023, at Aspen Grove Assisted Living in Sturgis.

Dorothy was born on the family homestead near Bixby, SD, June 22, 1922, to Walter F. and Kate Belle (Field) Wenzel. She attended grade school at Brushy School in Perkins County, 2 years of High School at the School of Agriculture, Brookings, SD, and graduated from Northgate High School, Northgate, ND, in 1940. She continued her education at Black Hills Teachers College and began teaching at Moskee, WY, where she taught in the Alva School District.

Dorothy was active in her community being a member of the Beaver Creek Homemakers Club, a lifetime member of Hulett Rebekah Lodge #49, serving as a 4-H leader and cook at Mallo Canyon 4-H Camp, and being the Crook County Fair Supervisor. She also held several offices with the Farm Bureau.

On December 10, 1944, she married Russell E. French at Mitchell, SD, and started their family.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Joe Russell (Patricia), Lemmon, SD, Ned Victor, Winnemucca, NV, Lea Kathryn (Clem) Nighswonger, Wasilla, AK, along with many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents; brothers, Henry, William (Bill), Walter L. (Bud); sisters, Kathryn (Kay) and Nora E.; daughter, Marlys Grace; great great grandson, Wilder; daughter-in-law, Susan French; and grandson-in-law, Vance Blacksmith.

Following her wishes Dorothy will be cremated and buried beside her husband, Russell.

Visitation services will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2023, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Interment will be 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Alva Cemetery in Alva, Wyoming, and a sack lunch will be provided.

In lieu of flowers donations made be made to the Children's Miracle Network, to be used locally in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, SD.

The visitation will be live streamed at www.kinkadefunerals.com .

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