Dorothy Ann Uhl Coulson

Coulson, Dorothy Ann Uhl, 96, of Wichita, KS, passed away Feb. 4, 2015. A reception to celebrate her memory will be held at Larksfield Place, 7373 E. 29th Street N, Wichita, KS from 2:30-4:00 PM on Friday, February 27, 2015. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 3:00 PM at Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, 1600 W. 27th Street N, Wichita, KS. Private burial. Dorothy Ann was born November 5, 1918, in Smith Center, KS, the daughter of Leonard C. Uhl, Jr. and Florence Sawyer Uhl. Dorothy was the granddaughter of one of Smith Countys pioneer families. Her grandfather, Leonard C. Uhl (LC, Sr.) was born in 1846 in Rotheim, Germany and arrived in America with his family at the age of two in 1848. The family settled in Ohio, then moved to Illinois. Leonard C. Uhl became an American citizen in 1853, and homesteaded in Smith County, KS in 1871. He met Nancy Widick in Illinois; they were married in 1875 and moved to the homestead in KS. Their first child, Leonard C. Uhl, Jr. (Dorothys father) was born in their sod house in 1879. LC Sr. studied law, passed the Bar, and joined his brother in Smith Center in the practice of law. LC Jr. also studied law and graduated from the University of Kansas with a law degree in 1899. He passed the Bar and joined his fathers law practice in Smith Center. He met Florence Sawyer in Smith Center and they were married in 1914. Dorothy had an active childhood with her older sister, Elinor Lucile Uhl Rea, and younger brother, Robert James Uhl, and many friends. She especially enjoyed all outdoor and athletic activities, dancing (ballet and ballroom), and travel with her family, including trips to Hawaii, Canada, and Alaska. At Smith Center High School, Dorothy was a member of the National Honor Society, played the trumpet for four years in the band, was cast in many dramatic plays, and was proud of the medals she earned in rifle marksmanship. After graduating from high school in 1936, Dorothy attended Kansas State College in Manhattan, KS. She enjoyed sorority life as a member of Chi Omega, and was a member of Mortar Board and other campus organizations. In 1937, Dorothy was elected Homecoming Queen at K-State. Dorothy graduated from K-State in 1940 with a degree in home economics. While at K-State, Dorothy met the love of her life, Maurice (Morey) Coulson, a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. Morey graduated from K-State in 1938. Dorothy and Morey were married August 3, 1940, in Smith Center, KS, and were married for 59 years before Moreys death in 1999. The newlyweds settled in Wichita but not for long as Morey was called to serve in The Army Air Corp in 1941. During Moreys military service, two children were born: Cynthia Sue (Cindy) in 1942 and Robert Allan (Bob) in 1944. At the end of WWII, Morey had earned the rank of Lt. Colonel. The family returned to Wichita in 1946. Dorothy and Morey purchased their home in Pleasant Valley on the banks of the Little Arkansas River in 1949 where they enjoyed living for the next 48 years. Dorothy and Morey were charter members of East Heights United Methodist Church and were charter members of Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church. They were members of the K-State Alumni Association, members of the Wichita Club for many years, and were members of the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs, CO for over 50 years. Morey and Dorothy loved to travel both near and far. They had many wonderful journeys both at home and abroad. Dorothy was a member of the Eunice Sterling chapter of DAR, the Chi Omega Alumnae Association, and she enjoyed bridge club and several other organizations. Dorothy especially loved spending time in her garden. Dorothy was an excellent homemaker, an amazing seamstress, a very talented china painter, an outstanding maker of scrapbooks, a wonderful dancer, and a special cookie-baker grandma who dearly loved all of her family. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, sister and brother, and is survived by a loving family: her daughter, Cindy and husband Bob Sevier of Liberty, MO; grandson John Sevier and wife Carol, and great-grandchildren, Mitchell and Madeleine of Liberty, MO; granddaughter Susan and husband Ben Jones and great-grandchildren Roger and Warren of Liberty, MO; son, Bob Coulson of Denver, CO; Grandson Brian Coulson and wife Jessica and great-grandchildren Gavin, Julia, Corbin, and Hayden of Boulder, CO; and many beloved nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, 1600 W. 27th St N, Wichita, KS 67204, The Smith County Historical Society, 219 S Main St, Smith Center, KS 66967, or Botanica, 701 Amidon St, Wichita, KS 67203. Downing Lahey East Mortuary. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com. In memory of Dorothy, please wear a little bit of purple.