Dorothy N Monroe

Dorothy Nadine Monroe

1929 - 2022

Dorothy Nadine Monroe, 93, passed away on October 4, 2022.  Dorothy was born in Herington, Kansas in 1929 to her parents, Walter and Lena Pankratz.  She was the eldest of four children and had fond memories of growing up on the family farm.

Raised in a Christian family, Dorothy accepted the Lord Jesus at a young age and served Him faithfully throughout her lifetime.  She had an ear for music and became an accomplished pianist.  Dorothy believed that God gave her this gift and, in gratitude, served as a church pianist and organist from the time she was a teen.  She was generous with her time and talents and also played for many weddings and funerals.  Many family gatherings included memorable times of singing Gospel hymns and Christmas carols, while she accompanied on the piano.

After graduating high school, Dorothy studied Cosmetology and worked as a beautician for two years, until her career turned toward business.  Most of her working years were as a bookkeeper, stenographer, executive secretary, and office manager.

Dorothy married Emerald “Em” Wilkerson in 1949.  They met at church, but their relationship blossomed into a romance after becoming pen pals while Em was recovering in the hospital during his military service.  Dorothy and Em had three children.  Daughters Vicki and Debra were born in Herington, Kansas, where Dorothy and Em partnered in a business operating the local grain elevator until 1953.  The family then moved to Turlock, California, where Em and his father-in-law operated a family-owned used car dealership and where their son, Robert, was born.  Dorothy and Emerald were married for 17 years until Emerald’s death in 1967.

Dorothy remarried in 1972 to Zack C. Monroe.  Zack owned a consulting firm in Las Vegas, which brought him to Turlock to liquidate Hume Cannery, where Dorothy was working in the office.  They developed a close relationship, and upon the conclusion of the cannery business, they married and moved to Las Vegas.  Zack continued his consulting business and Dorothy worked with him as office manager.  After 25 years of marriage, Zack passed away in 1997.

Dorothy has lived in Las Vegas and later Henderson, Nevada, for the past 50 years.  She was a long-time, active member of Warm Springs Baptist Church.

Dorothy was an inspirational person in the many roles she played in the lives of others:  daughter, sister, devoted wife, loving mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, co-worker, and friend.  She was a vibrant woman of faith who was gracious, hospitable, and inclusive.  Dorothy enjoyed cooking and was happiest when she was entertaining family and friends in her home.  She successfully balanced the responsibilities of serving God, raising children, and working to support her family.  Her trust in God sustained her through good times and hardships.  She was highly admired, and deeply loved, and will be missed by all those who knew her.  Our lives are so much more complete as a result of our relationship with her.

Dorothy is survived by her brother, Walter L. Pankratz; sister, Helen Stewart; sister-in-law, Lynn Pankratz Allen; three children and their spouses, Vicki Riley, Debra & Brian Hume, and Robert & Lori Wilkerson; step-daughter and her spouse, Leatha & Mike Cancelosi; and step-son and his spouse, Rob & Marlene Monroe.  Dorothy had 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her grandson, Andrew Wilkerson.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 28, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Davis Funeral Home of Las Vegas with Dr. Douglas Meye officiating.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc., Ministry # 200503-RG, PO Box 628211, Orlando, FL 32862-8211