Dorothy Julia Schoknecht, 101, of Kalispell, passed away March 20, 2008, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Dorothy was born Dec. 20, 1906, in Sauk Rapids, Minn., the second of four children, to Henry and Julia Neils Schoknecht.

Her family moved to Kalispell in December 1912. She attended Kalispell schools, graduating from Flathead High School in 1925 as valedictorian. Dorothy received a bachelor of arts degree from Valparaiso University, and her master's in chemistry and microbiology from the University of Washington.

After graduating, Dorothy returned to the Flathead. She taught at Bigfork High School and Kalispell Junior High School and then spent 20 years at Flathead High School teaching chemistry and biology. She was the faculty advisor for the high school yearbook. After her retirement, she continued to teach German at Trinity Lutheran School.

Dorothy was an active lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and she was the first woman to serve on the board of directors of Valparaiso University. She served on the advisory board of Concordia College in Portland, and received the Crest of Christ Award from Concordia College in Seward, Neb. She served on the board of directors of the Conrad National Bank in Kalispell, and she was named "Lady of the Year" in 1974 by the local Beta Sigma Phi chapters.

Dorothy had a life-long commitment to education. She helped many local students attain their educational goals through her encouragement and support. Dorothy loved teaching and working in her garden, or at the family cherry orchard on Flathead Lake. She also enjoyed spending time with friends, family, former students and her caregiver of more than 15 years, Nancy Morast.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Henry, Mark and Frederick.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Faye Schoknecht, of Libby; niece Paula Sandman and husband Bob, of Whitefish; nephew Joel Schoknecht, of Kalispell; grandnieces Stacia Rohrer, of Seattle, Ashley Rohrer Smith and husband Kevin, of Gulfport, Miss., and Ryenne Schoknecht, of Kalispell; and grandnephews Brandann Rohrer, of Whitefish, and Logan Sandman, of Missoula.

Services were held March 25, 2008, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell, with pastors Mark Cutler and Darold Reiner officiating. A private burial will take place.

The family requests that memorials be made to Trinity Lutheran School, 495 Fifth Avenue WN, Kalispell MT 59901, or to the Central School Museum, 124 Second Avenue East, Kalispell MT 59901.