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Dorothy Waterhouse Kratzer
DOROTHY WATERHOUSE KRATZER
Littleton, Colo.
Dorothy died peacefully Saturday, April 10, 2021, at her Littleton, Colo., home, at age 91.
She was preceded in death by husband, George Waterhouse; husband, C. Ray Kratzer; sister, Shirley Bolton; son, Franklin Waterhouse; and granddaughter, Ammy Waterhouse.
She is survived by brother, Arthur Hughes; sister, Roberta McBurney; son, Richard Waterhouse; daughter, Joice (John) Gibson; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was born Dec. 31, 1929, in Mason City. Dorothy retired from Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, where she helped to build components that were part of the Apollo spacecraft. Later, she worked at various jobs in Colorado, including in-home elder care, until her final retirement in her early 80s. Creative, resourceful and energetic, she designed and built two homes, including an earth-sheltered home where she successfully farmed while caring for George. Dorothy was an accomplished artist in various media and helped to establish an art center in southern Texas, where she taught and widely displayed and sold her work.
A graveside memorial service will be held this fall in Coggon, Iowa, where she and George raised their family.
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