Dorothy Lee Shields Podschun, 94, a longtime resident of Wellington, KS, died November 27, 2024.

Dorothy was the fifth child of Sidney James and Malinda (Schultz) Shields and was a 1948 graduate of Wellington High School.

On September 4, 1949, she and Kenneth (Bud) Podschun were united in marriage and made their home in Argonia, KS. To this union, two children were born: Cathy Lee and Chris Allen.

After moving to Wellington in 1960, Dorothy worked at Riley Jewelry, The Fashion, and the United School District #353 Administration Office. In 1968, she became the Senior High School secretary. Dorothy greatly enjoyed her association with both teachers and students.

In 1978, after her divorce, Dorothy accepted a position with Boeing as a secretary to two supervisors. She worked in military programs for six years. Dorothy retired from Boeing in 1995 after 16 years and eight months.

Dorothy was active in various organizations. She was an honorary member of the Wellington Newcomers Club in 1962, a member of Gamma Nu, and XI Iota Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for 55 years. She held many offices during her membership and received the Order of the Rose. Dorothy was a Board Member of the Wellington Community Theatre and participated in many musicals. She enjoyed playing bridge for many years and was a member of several bridge clubs. Dorothy volunteered at the Wellington Food Bank and the American Red Cross Blood Mobile for twenty years.

In May 2022, Dorothy moved to Charleston, SC, to be closer to her son in an independent living apartment.

Her greatest joys were her children: Cathy and Chris; her three grandchildren: Matthew, Mark, and Hayley; and five great-grandchildren: Amber and Cavin, Tessa and Millie, and Micah.

Preceding her in death were her grandparents, Frederick and Cecilia (Hiebeler) Schultz; parents Sidney and Malinda (Schultz) Shields; and Aunt Zelma Schultz. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Georgia (Shields) Meyer; brothers Russel (Buster), Sid Jr., and Bob Shields; dear friend Clyde (Roy) Morrison of Clearwater, KS; and daughter-in-law Rachelle Stiger, wife of Matthew.

Survivors include her daughter Cathy and husband Allen of Colorado Springs, CO; son Chris and wife Denise of Charleston, SC; grandson Lt. Col. Matthew and wife Rebecca, along with great-grandchildren Amber, Cavin, and Micah, all of Colorado Springs, CO; grandson Mark and great-grandchildren Tessa and Millie of Fort Collins, CO; granddaughter Hayley Podschun of New York City, NY; brothers Max Shields of Wellington, KS, and Kenneth Shields and wife Kathy of Sikeston, MO; sister Rose Marie Smith of Derby, KS; and many nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Dorothy's life will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 10:30AM at the Cornejo Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel, located at 1030 Mission Road, Wellington, Kansas, 67152. A visitation will take place Wednesday, December 4, 2024 from 3-7PM at the funeral home with family present from 6-7PM.

Dorothy was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Wellington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wellington Community Theatre and the Wellington Food Bank in her honor. Donations may be mailed or left with the funeral home.

Please share your memories, leave condolences, or sign Dorothy's digital tribute wall at www.cornejofuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Cornejo Funeral Home + Crematory, Wellington, Kansas. We encourage everyone who knew Dorothy to upload photos and share stories on her memorial page to continue celebrating the wonderful life she led.