Dolores June Ranck

Dolores June Ranck (born Fetsch, previously Gott) — a woman too marvelous for words — after a lifetime, she crossed over the rainbow in May.

Struggling for months to write these words, because it feels like finality to a person who can not be limited. How do you summarize a 94 year force? How do you fit a life so colorful, so lived,into something so small as a page? And while these words came slowly, they come from a place that will never let her go.

Our Dodie was a teller of tall tales, a starlore, a competitor, a tide, a gambler, a master eye roller. She was funny, not opposed to risk, never left the house without lipstick, liked spice, and used chopsticks for every meal. She loved a good Manhattan and always rooted hard for her Blazers and Mariners.

A lifeguard, artist, nurse, angler, hunter, chef, hair dresser, champion skeet shooter, tennis power house, singer, mom, grandma, sister, aunt, wife, daughter, friend. 

She was born to musicians, Stanley and Ruth, in depression-era California where she learned to make a world of wonder with simple things.

Later she built and shared a life of outdoor adventure and sports with our dad and grandpa, Bill,— her first love and husband of 49 years until his passing.

She was lucky enough to find love and a travel companion later in life when she met and married Abiathar. He passed three years before her.

To her daughters, Nanette (Thomas) and Suzanne (Robert), she gave grit and guidance. They laughed loudly together, traveled often, and supported each other until the end.

Her grandchildren got to know her for much longer than most could hope. Karly (Daniel),Ashley (Devan), Benjamin (Kelsey), and Shelby felt her joy and humor most freely — dripping in sarcasm, boldly and hysterically crude. 

She shared with us her love of films, music, sports,cooking — complete with opinions, commentary, and cursing.She shared her entire life with her identical twin sister, Beverly — her greatest friend, strongest match, and constant mirror. They sharpened each other — pushed each other forward. To her niece and nephew, Janet and Chris, she was a steady cheerleader.

Because of Dodie, we are braver. She taught us to stand tall, literally — and never gamble with scared money. We grieve for her fiercely. We remember her with smiles. We will continue to tell her tales.

There will be no services. The kitchen is now, officially, closed