Dorthy Mae Pennebaker Basler was born on January 9, 1929 to Dr. Everet Roosevelt and Bessie (Brand) Pennebaker. She had one older brother, Roland. Dorthy attended the Lenox school behind her house all 12 years. Dorthy was a goal setter and started early on. One of these goals was to attend school without ever being tardy or absent. Dorthy missed her first day of school in the 9th grade. She thought it was more important to go with her parents to Des Moines to see her brother off for his tour with the Coast Guard. Dorthy always had some kind of job. At an early age, she ran errands for people to earn spending money. While in school she was active in band, vocal music, and basketball ending up on the first team, playing guard. After high school she went to Maryville to NWMSU for 1 year. Then she took a job in Lenox with Bennett & Son as a bookkeeper.

She married her high school sweetheart, Robert (Bob) Basler on September 12, 1948. They made their first home with Bob’s dad on his farm and lived with him until his death 12 years later. Their union was blessed with daughter Cynthia and son Steven. In 1962, they bought their own farm north of Sharpsburg and moved on February 20, the day that John Glenn went around the Earth 3 times. They enjoyed being part of the Sharpsburg Methodist Church Family & the neighborhood and the 5B’s until 1980. Bob and Dorthy had a farm sale and moved to McAllen Texas. Dorthy worked at the Monitor newspaper for the next 14 years, in the bookkeeping dept. After they both retired they were asked to be Co-Managers of the brand new retirement facility, Brook Ridge.

In 2007, they decided it was time to return to their family in Lenox and made their home there. Bob and Dorthy loved to travel & visited all our 50 states and many other countries over the years. They especially enjoyed traveling with their children and their spouses, to celebrate their 50th, 60th, and 65th anniversaries.

Dorthy also loved to sew, crochet, and to make things for friends and family. For many years, Dorthy raised and sold purebred long haired Persian kittens. She also loved to “dig in the dirt” and to watch things grow. Another favorite past-time was playing the piano, she became quite accomplished. She took up bridge and the family had many fun times together playing 500, and Chinese Bridge. Dorthy belonged to Eastern Star for 73 years and served as Worthy Matron and in several other offices.

Left to remember Dorthy: a daughter Cynthia (Cindy) Lodes and husband Marvin of Omaha Nebraska, a son Steven Basler and wife Susan of Sharpsburg, six grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, along with many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Dorthy in death was her husband of 66 years, Bob Basler, brother, Dr. Roland Pennebaker and wife Mary Lou Pennebaker, nephew, Dr. Gary Pennebaker, grandson, Christopher Lodes, grandson, Murphy Fry, parents Dr. ER and Bessie Pennebaker and sister-in-law, Dr. Dorothy Pennebaker.

The memory of a well-spent life never dies.

May Dorthy be at peace in God's loving care..