Dorothy Arlene Anderson Bair
May 12, 1921 – October 25, 2020
Dorothy was born May 12, 1921, and passed away peacefully on Oct. 25, 2020, at the age of 99. She was born the fourth child to Francis Hugh Anderson and Martha Norby Anderson in Shelley, Idaho. Dorothy was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and married Dean Bair in the Salt Lake City, Utah, temple on Nov. 24, 1937. Dorothy and Dean settled in the Columbia Basin in 1952 and were among the pioneers who converted the region from sagebrush to beautiful farmland.
Dorothy had a passion for service, and faithfully served the communities in which she lived. She worked countless hours doing genealogy and helping others find information and learn about their ancestors. Together with her husband, she served as a missionary in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Adam-Ondi-Ahman in Missouri and served as a worker in the Seattle temple.
Dorothy excelled at poetry, song and reading. She sang in a women’s choir and loved directing plays, serving for a time as a drama director. Dorothy was also a noteworthy seamstress, and there wasn’t a pair of pants that she couldn’t patch. Perhaps even more notable, however, was her renowned skill as a baker. A gathering wouldn’t have been the same without her cinnamon rolls, bread and many other culinary delights. She loved quotes and anecdotes, compiling three books all entitled, “Grandma Bair’s Book of Wit and Wisdom.”
She leaves behind her children Ross (Judy), Keith (JoAnn), Lyle (Dixie), Glen (Janelle), Arlene Johnson and Jay (Trina). Dorothy also leaves behind her sisters Norma Bartholomew, Evaun Trappen, and Cheryl Johnson. She has 34 grandchildren, 105 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband Dean Bair, sister Betty Jean, parents Francis and Martha Anderson, infant son Neal Bair, granddaughter Heidi Bair), grandson Steven Bair, great-granddaughter Mara Adams, great-grandson Bryce Sanderson and daughter-in-law RC Bair.
As a family, we wish to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the people at the Monroe House and the Blue Goose Care No. 2 Center of Moses Lake, Washington.
She will be buried in Ephrata, Washington, next to her dear husband and two grandchildren. Her dedicated service, skill, quotes and affection will continue to benefit her family and community for generations to come.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, at 11 a.m. PDT. It will be livestreamed at http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/ephratawashingtonstake. The funeral service is by invitation only due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Please leave a memory for the family or sign their online guestbook at www.scharbachs.com. Scharbach’s Columbia Funeral Chapel, Quincy, is assisting the family with arrangements.