Central Oregonian

Dorothy Tikka

September 17, 2012

Dorothy O. Tikka, known to close friends as Dot or Dotty, passed away Monday, Sept. 3, Labor Day 2012. After an Air Life flight from outside Prineville, she died in the Bend St. Charles Hospital from natural causes.

Dorothy Louise Olsen (Tikka) was born Nov. 26, 1927, in Seattle Wash., the only child of Louise and Edward Olsen. She spent most of her youth in Aberdeen, Wash., where she attended high school. She married Reginald Samuel Tikka on March 31, 1946, in Puyallup Wash., then moved to San Francisco Calif., where Reg was in the service. They returned to Aberdeen before moving to Astoria Ore., in 1954, where Reg became a shareholder in the Astoria Plywood Mill and assisted in founding the Credit Union.

They had four children — a son, Reginald Jr., deceased in 1947, and three surviving daughters, Kathie Todd of Redmond, Susan Rodgers of Madras, and Tamara Miller of Prineville, whom Dorothy was living with when she passed on. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, most of whom attended a very nice day celebrating with her recently. She enjoyed her family and was very proud of them all. She will be missed.

Along with raising her very active family, much of Dorothy’s life was spent helping other people. For more than 30 years, she could be found on the softball field coaching young boys and girls. She deeply cared about and for older senior citizens. She often ran errands and chauffeured them wherever they needed to go and was a loyal loving friend. She loved playing cribbage and pinochle. She seemed to have a green thumb as well, sharing cuttings and starts with whoever might want to do so. She was a very good cook and often would take food to those in need. She loved to feed people.

Among many life challenges and accomplishments, Dorothy bowled her highest game of 298 and held that record for several years at the Astoria Bowling Lanes. She still has those last two pins! She could be found playing Fascination at the Seaside arcade where she won many prizes. Having grown up a country girl, she was comfortable on her daughters’ farms helping out regularly.

Her favorite hobbies were reading, playing solitaire, and solving crossword puzzles — she loved puzzles in any form. Her favorite activity was collecting items and objects — particularly glassware. She favored angels in all forms, from movies to jewelry, and especially at Christmas.

A memorial is planned at the Prineville Praise and Worship Center, 405 N. Ninth St., Prineville. Contact Tami Miller for further details. The date and time will be announced pending the return of her grandson from Afghanistan.

In memory of her helpful nurturing ways, the family requests that donations be made to the Oregon Food Bank or to a similar charity in the community.