Dolores Ochs Obituary

Dolores Lavonne Ochs was on born July 11, 1930, the first child of Elmer and Lena Mausolf at Larned, Kansas. She completed her life on earth August 5, 2012 and is now in heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and her earlier departed family and friends. Dee grew up in Albert, Kansas and was raised in the home, which was built by her grandfather in the early 1900's. Her parents were Kansas wheat farmers. She had one younger sister, Joan. The family attended Peace Lutheran Church. Dee became her father's right hand and became proficient in operating the farming equipment of the 1930's and 1940's. Her sister, Joan, was her mother's right hand. Joan's allergies and the dusty outdoor farm work did not set well with her. Dee attended the local public schools. She graduated from Otis Rural High School in Otis, Kansas, which was six miles north and west of Albert. She was an excellent driver and was allowed to drive to high school. Other students from Albert would carpool with her. She enjoyed driving all of her life, but for some reason she never agreed with the posted speed limit. Dee could usually be found driving a fair bit faster than the speed limit. Dee enrolled in the University of Kansas in the fall of 1948 and became a member of the Alpha Delta Phi sorority. During her sophomore year she met Ken Ochs. They became engaged the next year and were married upon their graduations on June 12, 1952. Shortly after their marriage Ken was called to active duty in the U.S. Army. Their first child, Cecilia, was born at Fort Riley, Kansas in 1954 during their Army service. Life found Dee and Ken back in Albert where they were involved in Dee's parents farming operation. They moved to Colorado Spring in 1956 to join Ken's brothers in a business venture. Brad was born in 1957. Amy followed in 1963. Dee was a steadfast wife, mother and homemaker. She resided at the home that she and Ken purchased on Parkview Boulevard for fifty-six years. Dee was involved in activities at the First United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Junior League of Colorado Springs and served that organization for many years particularly Memorial Hospital. Dee assisted with the Hearing Program for newborn babies, which was implemented at Memorial with the help of the Junior League. The Debutant Ball also received her services. Dee was very outgoing with people. She was one of the best when it came to helping and caring for family and friends. Dee and Ken naturally complemented each other during a marriage that lasted fifty-seven years until Ken's death in September 2009. Dee will be greatly missed by all who were given the opportunity to know her. Dee was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Lena Mausolf, her husband Ken Ochs, her daughter Cecilia Ochs and her sister and brother-in-law Joan and Glen Cooper. She is survived by her step-mother Alberta Kraus, her son Brad (Kristin) and their children Susi Bracewell (Ryan) and great-grandsons (Ryder and Chance), Wes and Mike Ochs, her daughter Amy Ochs (Don Johnson) and their children Nicole Schnapp (Ryan), Daniel Montoya (Coral Thompson) and great-grandchildren (Braydan and Avery), Jordan, Maty and Molly Montoya, Garrett and Eric Johnson and other close family members and friends. Viewing at Swan-Law Funeral Directors, 501 North Cascade Avenue, from 3:00-5:00 p.m., Sunday, August 12, 2012. Services at First United Methodist Church, 420 North Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, at 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 13, 2012, officiated by Rev. Kent Ingram. Entombment will follow at Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado. A reception will be held at The Depot, 10 South Sierra Madre at 4:30p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests, should you so desire, that memorial contributions be made to Ecumenical Social Ministries, c/o First United Methodist Church, 420 North Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903 or to the charity of your choice.