Dorothy Jean Budgett

June 2, 1930 - August 12, 2019

Dorothy Jean Budgett, Mesa, Arizona died August 12, 2019 in Hospice of the Valley, Friendship Village in Tempe, Arizona, She was 89. Dorothy Jean (Vick)Budgett was born on June 2, 1930 in Aberdeen, South Dakota to Jay and Hilda Vick. She lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and moved to Mesa, Arizona., in 1986. Dorothy spent many summers in Park Rapids, Minnesota on Long Lake. Dorothy attended elementary school in Sioux Falls and graduated from Washington Senior High School in 1948. She attended 1 semester at Augustana College before going to work as a secretary for Farmers Home Administration. She married Gerald R Budgett on September 10, 1949, at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On September 10, 2019, they would have celebrated 70 years of marriage. She was a member of First Lutheran Church from 1949- 1986 and was involved in the Lydia Circle for many years. And served in many capacities. In 1951- 1952 she sold House of Stewart Jewelry. For many years she and Gerald belonged to the Mr. and Mrs. Dance Club and danced once a month at the Arkota Ball Room in Sioux Falls. Dorothy became a member of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Tempe, Arizona in 1986 and participated in many activities through the church over the years. Dorothy was a member of the Dobson Ranch Retirees club, a club which Gerald helped cofound in 1999. Survivors include her spouse Gerald, of Mesa, AZ, 4 children: Vicki Dannhaus, (Dale) of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Steve Budgett ( Gilbert, AZ), Marsha Budgett (Chandler, AZ) and William Budgett (Shelly) of Boulder City, Nev and Park Rapids, MN). Grandchildren Kaiya Dannhaus, Josh Dannhaus (Harriet)of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Amy Saucerman (Michael) of Gilbert, AZ, Dana Exline (Parrisa) of Chandler, AZ, Brittany Leicht (Justen) of Chandler, AZ, Alex Budgett of San Francisco, Ca Ryan Budgett of Camp Pendleton, Ca Nicole Lott (Taylor) of Queen Creek, AZ. Great grandchildren Logan, Jackson, Brady and Easten Dannhaus, Hunter and Kasadee Saucerman Everest Exline and Cooper Lott. Dorothy was preceded in death by her father (1960), mother (2000), brother John (1997) and bother Roger (2004). She has 4 living siblings, Windsor (Wichita, KS), Helen (Grand Junction, CO), Thomas (San Diego, CA) and Patricia ( LaHabra, CA). Memorial services will be held on Saturday, August 17 at 11:00 AM at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 2085 E Southern Ave, Tempe, AZ 85282. An invitation is extended to join them at King of Glory Church for refreshments and fellowship following the service. The committal service will be on August 19 at 10:30 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorials may be sent to Hospice of the Valley at Friendship Village, 2525 E Southern, Tempe AZ The family of Dorothy Budgett would like to thank you for your support, prayers and presence today. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIFE HISTORY - Dorothy Jean Budgett Dorothy was born on June 2, 1930 in Aberdeen, South Dakota to Jay and Hilda Vick. Dorothy was baptized in the Lutheran church on August 30, 1930. She was the 5th child of several siblings and was preceded in death by her father (1960), mother (2000), brother John (1997) and bother Roger (2004). She has 4 living siblings, Windsor (Wichita, KS), Helen (Grand Junction , CO), Thomas (SanDiego) and Patricia ( LaHabra, Ca). Dorothy grew up during the depression years. She attended public schools in Sioux Falls, Mark Twaine and Lincoln elementary, and graduated from Washington High School, and yes she walked even in the snow storms! She attended 1 semester at Augustana College before going to work as a secretary for Farmers Home Administration. Growing up during the Depression years and living in a large home with 7 siblings, money was tight. Her parents rented out rooms during the war years of WWII to make ends meet and at times an aunt and uncle would live with them. She did not go out trick or treating for Halloween. However, on Christmas Eve, Dorothy and her siblings would use one of their regular socks for a Christmas Eve stocking. No toys were received, but instead they would receive a quarter, an apple, an orange and when they did get gifts they were mostly clothes. She always received a pair of pajamas! On one Christmas her Aunt Agnes dressed up as Santa Claus, but the kids recognized her due to her shoes! Dorothy got her first doll at age 11. Birthdays meant an angel food cake with the family dinner. Vacations during the summer meant going to her Grandfather’s farm in Boyd, Minnesota, which was not often as money was tight and there were too many children to fit in the car and everyone wanted a window seat. In 1945 at age 15 while at a dance club named Billy’s, with another friend, Dorothy met Gerry Budgett. Their first official date was to a movie. Dorothy liked Gerry a lot and over the next four years of being chased and playing hard to get they fell in love. On February 25, 1949, the night of Mardis Gras, Gerry proposed . On September 10, a week after he turned 21, they were married at First Lutheran church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Her church Augustana Lutheran Church was under renovation. After their wedding, the newlyweds left with $75.00 in Gerry’s pocket for their honeymoon, a trip to Minneapolis for a couple of nights, going out for a Chinese dinner out and stopping in St. Peter for car repairs. From there they journeyed to Park Rapids , Minnesota to the Lake, where it rained the entire time, so they decided to come home early. Gerry’s father, George, rented them a house next door to their own home and here they started their family. On October 5, 1950, Gerry got orders to report to the navy. On October 6th, Vicki was born and had health issues so he got a deferment until February 5, 1951. Gerry was off to the Navy and Dorothy was home with a new sick baby. Over the next 14 months, Dorothy received love letters from him. On May 15, 1953 their 2nd child, Stephen was born, on March 2, 1956, Marsha was born and on April 20, 1961, Bill was born! Over the next several years, Dorothy and Gerry took trips for Gerry’s business occasionally, traveled to see family and friends, and spent many summers at Long Lake. Over the years, many lifelong friendships were made and continue to be cherished. The Budgett’s, Nelson’s and the Helberg’s enjoyed many fun times together over the years, from the New Year’s Eve midnight barbecues, to the Sunday morning brunches after church to cabin time! Over the years, her activities included not only being a wife and mother to their 4 children but also being involved in the Lydia Circle at First Lutheran Church, selling House of Stewart Jewelry 1951- 1952, and belonging to the Mr. and Mrs. Dance Club. For many years, the Mr. and Mrs. Group ventured to Park Rapids, Minnesota to their cabin for a weekend of fun and relaxation at the lake. It wasn’t unusual to have 24 people in their group, and oh the stories that came from those days! For 8 years Dorothy and Gerry enjoyed 6 months at the lake and 6 months in Arizona. In 1986, they retired to Mesa, Arizona and joined King of Glory Church in Tempe. Here, Dorothy participated in the KOG fitness group for several years. After moving to the Dobson Ranch area, Gerry helped co found the Dobson Ranch Retirees group and Dorothy made several new friends. Over the past several years, Dorothy had a hobby of making Christmas stockings out of felt, sequins and beads for the children, grandchildren and now great grandchildren! Each one was different and each one had hours of time and love put into every stocking. What an awesome gift to hand down to the next generation! Dorothy enjoyed a great life over her years and was shared with 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Many life lessons were learned from her as well. Dorothy learned how to cook from cookbooks and friends and was excellent! Her homemade chocolate cake with white frosting was a favorite! She even once decided to store the cake in the oven, forgot it was in there, turned the oven on and of course a burnt cake ensued! Her delicious meals for beef stroganoff, chicken and rice, meatloaf were just a couple of her specialties. As well as her lemon pies! Over the past several years the grandkids have enjoyed participating in the making of her delicious frosted sugar cookies and now the great grandkids are participating. As the grandkids grew up, and got married it soon became tradition during holiday times, to hear comments such as “ Grandma what’s for dinner and they showed up!” Funny how food works! Her strong willed, stubborn, witty, humorous spirit and great values which she instilled to her family! Along with her generosity, caring, and love for family will be remembered forever. Over the past few years, as her health declined she became limited in what she could do. Her health continued to fail until August 12, 2019 at 1910, on her great grandson’s 12 birthday, she joined the angels and now soars above being fully healed and pain free to be in the company of Jesus. September 10, 2019, she would have celebrated 70 years of marriage with Gerry, a story of true love and dedication! Wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she will be missed loved forever! WE LOVE YOU! Dorothy leaves behind her spouse Gerald Budgett of almost 70 years. Her daughters Vicki Dannhaus, and spouse Dale Dannhaus Marsha Budgett Sons Steve Budgett ( Gilbert, AZ) William Budgett and spouse Shelly (Park Rapids, MN) Grandchildren Kaiya Dannhaus, Josh Dannhaus and his wife Harriet Dannhaus (Las Cruces, New Mexico) Amy Saucerman and spouse Michael,(Gilbert, AZ) Dana Exline and spouse Parrisa (Chandler, AZ) Brittany Leicht and spouse Justen Leicht (Chandler, AZ) Alex Budgett Ryan Budgett Nicole Lott and spouse Taylor ( Queen Creek, AZ) Great grandchildren Brady and Easten Dannhaus Jackson and Logan Dannhaus Hunter Saucerman, Kasadee Saucerman Cooper Lott In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorials may be sent to Hospice of the Valley at Friendship Village, Tempe AZ The family of Dorothy Budgett thank you for your support and presence today. An invitation is extended to join them at King of glory church for refreshments and fellowship following the service. The committal service will be on August 19 at 1030 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona