Dorothy Irene (Hill) Woertz

Dorothy Irene (Hill) Woertz 101, of Livingston, Montana, passed away on Friday, September 4, 2015 at the Diamond K Lodge in Livingston. A Funeral Service will be held 2 P.M., Tuesday, September 8th, at the Franzen-Davis Chapel (118 North 3rd Street). A reception with coffee and cookies will follow the service at Franzen-Davis. Graveside committal and burial will follow the reception at Sunset Memorial Park in Bozeman. In lieu of flowers, Dorothy would appreciate donations to the Livingston Humane Society or the Livingston Public Library or of donors choice. Dorothy was born March 3rd, 1914, in Buffalo New York, to Frederick and Irene (Way) Hill. She had a sister, Alys, and a brother, Robert, who have both preceded her in passing. Dorothy married Otto Woertz on December 3, 1935. They lived and worked in Chicago, Illinois during which time Otto spent 3 years in the Navy during World War II. They had two children during this time, Margo and Julia. Margo died as an infant. After leaving the Navy, Dorothy and Otto bought an orchard where they raised and sold their own fruit and vegetables for many years. Later, they sold the orchard and bought a small grocery store in Richfield, Illinois. When the Jewel Grocery store chain opened a store locally they knew their "Mom and Pop" store couldnt compete. They sold the store in 1972 and followed their daughter Julia and her husband Fred and their 3 children, Theresa, Martha and Carter, to Livingston to live. Dorothy and Otto lived on North 5th Street in Livingston for 12 years until Otto passed away on May 2, 1983. After Ottos passing, Dorothy moved in with her daughter Julia and son-in-law Fred, in Helena. Dorothy was an active volunteer for many years in Helena, helping children learn to read at the local elementary school, working at the concession counter at the Myrna Loy Theatre, and running the gift shop at St. Peters Hospital and the thrift shop at Fort Harrison. Dorothy loved to walk and ride her bike around town most often to the library which was one of her favorite places. She felt life was not complete without a dog and she had multiple dogs throughout her life. She ventured around town where she was drawn to any dog that she would meet and always had a pocket full of treats for them. She also assisted the Lucky Leaves 4-H Club which her daughter Julia organized. She was an integral part of the clubs biggest activity of collecting Betty Crocker points to purchase and donate a heart monitor to Livingston Memorial Hospital. When her daughter Julia passed away from multiple sclerosis in May, 2006, Dorothy decided to move back to Livingston where her granddaughter Theresa, husband Bruce, and great-grandson Joshua live. She volunteered at the Livingston Depot Museum, and the Livingston Human Society. Dorothy also loved spending hours doing many puzzles for her enjoyment and spending time visiting with the residents at the Sherwood Apartments where she lived. Dorothy is survived by her: Granddaughter, Theresa Wirtz and her husband Bruce Gilman of Livingston, great- grandson Joshua and significant other Maranda and great great-grandson Hudson, and great great-granddaughter Isabell of Belgrade; Granddaughter Martha Hill of Canby, OR., Grandson Carter Wirtz and his wife Kelly, and great-grandsons Evan and Alden of Clarksville, TN. Nephew, Richard Hill and his wife, Beth of Elmwood, IL. Many other nieces, nephews, relivives and friends. As grandchildren, we have never known life without her smile, positive attitude, and sense of humor. She will be missed dearly .. Every Day. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.