Dorothy Andersen
May 25, 1937 — October 5, 2016
Mrs. Dorothy “Dottie” Louise (Smith) Andersen passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, in Sykesville, Maryland at the age of 79.
Dottie is survived by her husband, William “Bill” Andersen (Glenwood, MD); daughter, Kristen Christy (Colorado Springs, CO) ; son-in-law, Sean Lange (Colorado Springs, CO); son, Chris Andersen (Nevada, IA); daughter-in-law, Shannon Andersen (Nevada, IA) and her grandchildren: Ryan Christy (Colorado Springs, CO), Ben Christy (Tucson, AZ), Trevor Fulkerson (Nevada, IA), Nikole Andersen (Ankeny, IA), and Ashleigh Andersen (Ankeny, IA). She was proceeded by her parents, Roscoe and Sadie Smith; her brothers Sonny, Collis, and David Smith; and her sisters Anne Burns and Carolyne Johnston.
Dottie earned her undergraduate degree from Shorter University and her Master’s degree from Duke University before becoming a teacher for the Department of Defense. It was during her time teaching in Wiesbaden, West Germany, that she met her future husband, Bill. Their courtship was short and long distance, but their marriage was unforgettable. For more than 51 years, Dottie relished their 21 moves and ten overseas assignments because of Bill’s service in the U.S. Air Force and her career at the National Security Agency. Every move and assignment held great experiences with her Mr. Wonderful by her side. It was often said she never met a stranger and this was evident with so many whom she met through brief introductions, but blossomed into life-long friendships. Her personality was unforgettable and she will be lovingly missed by so many. She and Bill lived by their motto “If you get the chance, take it; if it changes your life, let it.”
Arrangements are being made for her internment at Arlington National Cemetery. Date of Funeral Will be January 26, 2017 at 3:00 PM at the Post Chapel
Dottie is survived by her husband, William “Bill” Andersen (Glenwood, MD); daughter, Kristen Christy (Colorado Springs, CO) ; son-in-law, Sean Lange (Colorado Springs, CO); son, Chris Andersen (Nevada, IA); daughter-in-law, Shannon Andersen (Nevada, IA) and her grandchildren: Ryan Christy (Colorado Springs, CO), Ben Christy (Tucson, AZ), Trevor Fulkerson (Nevada, IA), Nikole Andersen (Ankeny, IA), and Ashleigh Andersen (Ankeny, IA). She was proceeded by her parents, Roscoe and Sadie Smith; her brothers Sonny, Collis, and David Smith; and her sisters Anne Burns and Carolyne Johnston.
Dottie earned her undergraduate degree from Shorter University and her Master’s degree from Duke University before becoming a teacher for the Department of Defense. It was during her time teaching in Wiesbaden, West Germany, that she met her future husband, Bill. Their courtship was short and long distance, but their marriage was unforgettable. For more than 51 years, Dottie relished their 21 moves and ten overseas assignments because of Bill’s service in the U.S. Air Force and her career at the National Security Agency. Every move and assignment held great experiences with her Mr. Wonderful by her side. It was often said she never met a stranger and this was evident with so many whom she met through brief introductions, but blossomed into life-long friendships. Her personality was unforgettable and she will be lovingly missed by so many. She and Bill lived by their motto “If you get the chance, take it; if it changes your life, let it.”
Arrangements are being made for her internment at Arlington National Cemetery. Date of Funeral Will be January 26, 2017 at 3:00 PM at the Post Chapel
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