Dolores Cuthbertson

Services are scheduled at 10 am Monday December 5, 2016 at Immanuel Lutheran Church for Dolores Lucile "Dee" Cuthbertson of Artesia.

Mrs. Cuthbertson, 86, died Wednesday morning, November 30 at her home.

Dolores was born on February 24, 1930 in the midst of the Great Depression on a dry land dirt farm in Old Glory Texas. Born in the family farm house she was the second of two daughters born to Hattie and Otto Dudensing. She and her sister (Verlee Opal Dudensing "Jonnie" McGonagill) with their parents worked hard on the farm to make ends meet. Theirs was a German farm community of hard working second and third generation immigrants who were making a new life. While farming was their industry she worked hard at school so that she would have a new future off of the farm; ultimately in nursing.

After attending high school in Old Glory Dee went on to receive her preliminary nurses training at Stamford Hospital in Stamford Texas.

It was from that point that she began her career in nursing.

In 1949 she met the love of her life and future husband D. E. (Cub) Cuthbertson in Dallas, Texas at Hensley Naval Air Base while he was stationed there she was working as a Nurse at the Scottish Rite Hospital.

They married on October 24, 1949 in Sagerton, Texas. They just celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.

In 1953 as a couple they moved to Artesia New Mexico where work could be found and have resided here ever since.

Dolores enjoyed being a wife, mother, sister and loving aunt. She also especially enjoyed the many hundreds of patients that passed thru the doors of the various medical facilities that she worked in. She would know about them, their families and the various changes going on in their lives. She would listen intently; engaging her patient; so much so that she could give you a medication or a shot and you would not even know that it had happened.

She was a care giver to many. She found her true calling to provide health and emotional care for family and friends and would have continued to do that until the end if her own health would have allowed. She would provide not only loving care but sound and circumspect advice. When you would talk to her she would listen closely, then smile, give you a little laugh, turn her head a little and then tell you what you needed to hear; probably not what you wanted to hear. Those comments usually turned out to be correct.

She loved to cook and bake. Family members fondly recall her homemade rolls, breads and thanksgiving dinners. Her kitchen was warm and flavorful. Always generous she wanted to make sure everyone was taken care of. It seems she was often at the sink in her own or other family member's homes (usually after a celebration) washing dishes and cleaning up; getting ready to do it all over again.

She loved her family; close and extended and was always interested in what they were doing. She always greeted everyone with that smile.

As one of the founding members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod located in Artesia she spent her adult life in and around that church body. While she was able she made sure to attend every week; doing whatever was needed from cleaning and pot lucks to assisting.

She and Cub had one daughter; Gail Ann; who preceded her in death in August of 1972. While heartbroken by this she and Cub held each other close and continued thru life supporting each other in the midst of life's disappointments. She then found herself supporting many others in the community as they went thru their own trials; continuing her life long tradition of providing care.

Even in later years, thru her many various illnesses, she continued to focus and move on; taking each in stride and making the most of it.

She will be deeply missed by family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Gail Ann, her parents Otto and Hattie Dudensing and her sister Verlee "Jonnie" McGonagill.

She is survived by her husband Cub of the home. Additionally, she is survived by Nieces and Nephews which include Marilyn Kay McGonagill Link, Michael and wife Candi McGonagill, Jim Ainsworth and wife Connie, Sue Strickland and Husband Tim all from Wyoming and Raelene Barber who is in Idaho.

Viewing will be Sunday, December 4, 2016 at Terpening and Son Mortuary 2pm to 6pm.

Services are scheduled for Monday December 5, 2016 at 10 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Pastor Andrew Dimit will officiate with burial at Twin Oaks Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be as Follows: Roger Jones, Stuart Taylor, Augustine Torras, Mike Shetterly, Jerry Eichoff, Lynn Dale Dudensing. Honorary Pallbearers: Lynndale Smith and Jerry Terpening.

The Family suggests memorial contributions to be made to Encompass Hospice or Immanuel Lutheran Church; PO Box 1281, Artesia New Mexico 88211

Visitation

Terpening Son Mortuary
611 W. Grand Ave.
Artesia, NM  88210
Sunday, December 4, 2016
2:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Service

Funeral Services

Immanuel Lutheran Church
810 W. Washington
Artesia, NM  88210
Monday, December 5, 2016
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Twin Oaks Memorial Park
59 Lake Arthur Highway
Artesia, NM  88210

Memorial Contributions

Encompass Hospice or Immanuel Lutheran Church
PO Box 1281
Artesia, NM  88211