Dorothy Lichty

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Dorothy Lichty, 94, of Miller, passed away Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller, surrounded by her family.

Funeral Mass was held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller with Father Chester Murtha, celebrant. Burial was held at  St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Wessington. A rosary and prayer service began at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller.

Dorothy Hope Johnson was born on May 27, 1922, in Lyons, Nebraska to Oliver and Anne (Lawless) Johnson, the fifth of eight children. When she was 2, the family moved by train to Miller, South Dakota. She and her siblings grew up in “the old brown house” on 2^nd street, just passed Rainbow Bridge

She attended Miller grade school and high school, graduating with the class of 1940, with the exception of attending eighth grade at Polo Catholic School. She attended Notre Dame Junior College in Mitchell, Northern State College in Aberdeen, and finally at age 50, she completed her BA degree in Education at Huron College. Throughout the years she attended night school and took correspondence classes to keep up her teaching certificate.

On June 15, 1949, she married Edward Lichty, in Miller, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. They began their life on a farm near Wessington, SD. They lived on the farm for 44 years, until Edward passed away. She remained on the farm with her grandson Nathan, until 1996, when she moved to Miller for the remainder of her life.

Her teaching career of 38 years included, 23 years in the rural schools of Hand and Beadle counties and 15 years in Miller, Wolsey, Ree Heights and St. Lawrence schools. Throughout her years of teaching she taught many families, including multiple generations of families.

She belonged to St. Joseph’s and St. Ann’s Catholic parishes. She was active in the Altar Societies, Choirs, Bible studies, and taught CCD classes and RCIA.

She was a member of the State Teacher’s Association during her teaching career. After retirement, she was active in the local Right to Life Chapter, Central Plains Arts Council, and in recent times enjoyed Red Hat Society activities.

Throughout her life she enjoyed music, especially playing her accordion at dances and family gatherings, her gardens, writing poems for family, sewing, traveling, playing cards, acting in local plays and caring for her grandchildren.

She is survived by her four daughters: Theresa Lichty of Miller, Anne (Don) Hartman, of Aberdeen, D. Pauline Hicks of Miller, and Pam (Craig) Van Zee of Miller; grandchildren: Shane Hartman, Nathan (Kristi) Lichty, Zachary Hicks, Desirae, Derick and Dexter Van Zee; great grandchildren: Shayna Hartman, Dillon Erickson, Jesse and Justin Hartman, and Kate Lichty; cousin, Evelyn Wahlen; sister-in-law, Helen Mullenberg of Zell; and many, many nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; her parents; all of her seven siblings and their spouses; her grandson, Sean Hartman; and two brothers-in-law: Raymond Lichty and Richard Mullenberg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to St. Ann’s Building Fund or Hand County Right for Life.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Dorothy’s arrangements.