Dorothy Hansen Foss

Dorothy Marie Hansen Foss, 83, of Fort Collins, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2006, at her home. Dorothy lost her lengthy battle with cancer surrounded by family and friends. Dorothy was born April 26, 1923, in Plentywood, Mont., to Thorwald and Anna Hansen. She was the oldest of five children, Violet, Nova, LaVern and Myrna. Dorothy was proud of her Danish heritage and spoke only Danish until entering public school. Her family of dry-land farmers persevered throughout the Depression, dust bowls, locusts and fire. As the eldest child, Dorothy became her father's right-hand "man" by helping with planting, harvesting and care of livestock. Dorothy was also a good student, traveling to school either on skis or by horseback. She especially liked music and enjoyed singing; she even performed at her own graduation. She graduated high school in 1941. On May 31, 1941, Dorothy married Phillip Oliver Foss in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. When Phillip enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1942, Dorothy began her life as the wife of an Air Force officer. Over the next 60 years of their marriage, Dorothy and Phillip shared an uncommon love and devotion to each other. Together they raised four children and moved across the country with his military career. During Phillip's active duty in World War II and the Korean War, Dorothy raised her family alone with the love and strength she retained throughout her life. In 1962, Dorothy and Phillip moved their family to Fort Collins. Dorothy proudly encouraged Phillip's professional advancement and his career. Dorothy spent many hours proofreading and typing for Phillip's advanced degrees and his 10 published works. She helped each of their four children earn college degrees as well. Dorothy always said she earned several degrees along with her family. Dorothy was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren. Over a cup of her very best coffee she could tell a great story about her family that she loved so dearly. Dorothy cherished family, friends, music, books and creatures of nature. Her back yard was a haven of wildlife that she nurtured and respected. She had often said that her home and property were a piece of heaven here on Earth. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Phillip; her sister, Violet Kingsland; and her brother, LaVern Hansen. Dorothy is survived by her children, Coral Foss of Wray, Phyllis Stoner of Fort Collins, Phillip Foss Jr. of San Juan Pueblo, N.M., and Tory Foss of Montrose; her four grandchildren, Kelley Stoner-Rivera, Ryan Stoner, Justin Foss and Yana Whitson; and two great-grandchildren, Brianna and Kraig Rivera. A funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery. A viewing will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, also at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Larimer County or the American Cancer Society in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524.