Dorothy Jean Syverson (Koester), of Tri – Cities, WA, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 17, 2018, after living with Alzheimer’s for several years. Dorothy (Dot), born July 16, 1928 to Henry and Sigrid Koester, grew up in St. James, MN where she met her childhood sweetheart, Maurice (Sy) Syverson. They married in 1951 while he was beginning his Navy career. Before becoming a ‘Navy wife’, Dorothy was a teacher and worked for the telephone company. Dot and Sy were stationed many places, living mainly in Chula Vista, CA before moving to the Tri-Cities in 1981 and making Kennewick and Pasco their final home.

Upon moving to Kennewick, she and Sy joined Kennewick Newcomer’s where they made many good friends. They were very active in the community and area Lutheran churches (Lord of Life, Church of the Master, Trinity Lutheran) and helped build churches through Mission Builders and Laborer’s for Christ. They loved camping and traveling, making time each summer to go back to Minnesota to visit dear family and friends.

Dorothy was an avid sports fan, bridge player and bowler. She was also a lover of music, reading, doing the daily crossword and baking. After Sy’s passing (2006), Dorothy volunteered time at the Pasco Senior Center and Meals on Wheels. She loved her family with all her heart and was a generous, fun, loving and kind spirit to all she knew.

She is preceded in death by husband, Maurice Syverson, daughter Carol Donegan, as well as her parents and siblings: Martha Quade, Myrtle Hetherington, Clarence Koester and Bill Koester. She is survived by her son Paul (& Pat) Syverson, El Cajon, CA; son Luke (& Sarah) Syverson, Rome, GA; daughter Kristina (& Ray) Merkel, Pasco, WA; 11 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by sisters and brothers-in-law: Joey Blomme, Karen McDaniel, Gene & Marilyn Syverson and Kent & Jan Syverson.

Graveside service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery, Covington, WA on Tuesday, September 25^th at 1:15 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy’s memory to Lutherhaven ministries, Alzheimer’s Association or your local Humane Society.