Dorothy Fern Kraatz

Dorothy Fern Kraatz passed away Friday, January 27, 2023, at New Haven Nursing Home in Odessa, MO following a long illness.  She was born on May 18, 1944, in Platte County, MO, the daughter of Hugh Brown and Doshia Lane of Wellington, MO.  She married Calvin Dunn on June 29, 1962. They were divorced in 1973.  She married secondly, Harold Edward Kraatz on June 6, 1982, in Oklahoma.  

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 30, 2023 at the Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home, 1720 S. St., Lexington, MO, 64067, 660-259-2245.  A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 30, 2023 at the funeral home.  Interment will be in the Machpelah Cemetery in Lexington, MO.  Memorials are suggested to the Lafayette County Cancer Coalition or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Memories of Dorothy and condolences for her family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our Facebook Page. 

Dorothy worked many years in the sewing industry at Dunbrook in Lexington and in the Higginsville garment factory, as well as refurbishing antiques and collectibles with her husband, Harold for the second-hand market in Independence.  She often said that her hobby was junk collecting. 

Dorothy will be remembered as a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, by all who mourn her passing today.  She had an infectious laugh and loved her music, especially gospel and 50’s & 60’s rock and roll.  She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, often making sure they were always remembered with some little gift on their birthdays and Christmas.  It is well known by family that she would share with any stranger, paying it forward as often as she could. 

Dorothy loved the Lord with her entire being, often referring to Him as “my Jesus” in moments of prayer and thanksgiving. 

Preceding her in death as well as her parents and husband were sons James Wesley and Calvin Wayne Dunn; brothers Tom and David Brown; sisters Charlotte (Jim) Barklow, Vivian Cook, and Debbie (Don) Gullick.   Survivors include her longtime companion Lanny Gully, daughter Angela (Eddie) Jeske, granddaughters Melanie (Justin) Beal, Heather (Justin) Begemann, Lindsey Jeske and fiancé Crees Forster, 8 great-grandchildren, sister Isabel (Ronald) Gray, many nieces, nephews, and friends.