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Dorothy Bowlby Munson, 86

| March 3, 2014 11:38 AM

Dorothy Bowlby Munson passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 28, 2014, in her room at Coeur d'Alene Homes.

She was born Dorothy Alice McGough in Sprague, Wash., May 17, 1927, and moved with her family to Moscow, ID in 1933. In 1947, Dorothy married Wilson Bowlby and had two children, Konni and Mark. The young family relocated to Silverton, ID in 1954.

For the next 20 years, Dorothy could be found golfing at the old Shoshone Golf club, playing bridge with anyone who would deal the cards, dancing at the Wallace Elks club, concocting casseroles for her family to try, vacationing at the red wood cabins at Arrow Point, shopping for bargains, and being a fun Mom.

Following Wilson's passing in 1977, Dorothy became reacquainted with Carl Munson at a golf tournament. Carl had been the quarterback of the Idaho Vandals when they were both in college. Dorothy and Carl married that November, made their home in Kennewick, Wash., and spent the next years golfing, traveling to their beloved Hawaii, and being grandparents to their four grandsons. To Carl, Dorothy "Dofe" was always his "beautiful little partner," both on and off the golf course! Dorothy thought she could never love a place as much as she loved Moscow; as much as she loved Wallace; or, as much as she loved Kennewick - that was because of the friends she made in each home and kept for a lifetime.

During her life, Dorothy was active in many organizations and took the president's role numerous times. She belonged to Delta Gamma, P.E.O., Washington State Golf Association, University of Idaho Alumni, and the Catholic Church.

The last years of Dorothy's life were spent in the memory care unit of Coeur d'Alene Homes where Carl sat by her side every day, singing old songs, and recalling the memories of their 36 years together. Dorothy sometimes joined Carl in the singing, and often showed her still wonderful sense of humor with a funny remark and a twinkle in her eye.

Dorothy is survived by husband, Carl Munson, at North Star Home in Coeur d'Alene; daughter, Konni (Rich) of Hayden Lake; son, Mark (Heather) of Coeur d'Alene; grandsons, John Leichner of Wichita, Kan., Kirk Leichner (Jennie) of Beijing, China, Wilson Bowlby of Helena, Mont., and Joel Bowlby (Autumn); and great grandchildren, Kendalyn and Henry Bowlby of Coeur d'Alene. She was preceded in death by first husband, Wilson Bowlby, and by her brothers, Jack and Frank McGough.

Following a private family mass, Dorothy will be interred in the Columbarium at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Memorials may be made to Coeur d'Alene Homes Foundation at 624 W. Harrison, Coeur d'Alene, ID. Yates Funeral Homes, Coeur d’Alene, is entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Dorothy’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com