Dorothy Swensen Schock, 85
Montana lost one of its most capable, versatile, and vivacious cowgirls when Dorothy Swensen Schock passed away on July 12, 2005, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.
Dorothy was born on Aug. 25, 1919, at her parents' home west of Sweet Grass. She was the eighth and last child of Kirsten Marie Christensen Swensen and Bert J. Swensen - emigrants from the southern region of Jutland, Denmark.
She lived and worked on her parents' farm until her elopement with Toralf Bernard "Bernie" Rismon in January, 1941.
The marriage produced three children, Stewart, Peggy Jean and Ronald and ended in January, 1953 with Bernie's untimely passing.
Following the death of her first husband, Dorothy moved her family to Billings in order that her youngest son, Stewart, might take advantage of services offered for persons with developmental disabilities.
In June of 1956, Dorothy married Robert H. Schock and the family moved to his ranch near Billings.
Dorothy and Robert made their home and life on that ranch (the 2/S) for the next 48 and one half years).
At the time of her death, Dorothy (and Robert) were living in Kalispell, in order to be nearer their daughter, Peggy Jean "P.J." Rismon-Beckley and son-in-law, Paul Beckley.
Dorothy was an energetic woman who, in addition to her responsibilities as a rancher, wife and mother, found time to actively participate in the Yellowstone County and Montana Cattlewomen's Associations, Billings Women's Club, Yellowstone Association for Retarded Citizens, Regional Council for Developmentally Disabled, AAUW, 4-H, and the Billings Bench Women's Club. She was also a correspondent for the Yellowstone County News and a racewalker.
Due to family circumstances, Dorothy was unable to attend high school when she graduated from the eighth grade, but held fast to her dream of continuing her formal education.
Her love of learning and Scandinavian perseverance carried her to the completion of her bachelor's degree (with high honors) from Eastern Montana College-Billings in 1977.
Dorothy loved to sew and her skills as a seamstress resulted in her selection as head costumer for the professional dance company "Ballet of the Prairie" as well as several theatrical productions at EMC.
Her Danish ancestry (and its seemingly requisite love of horses) was a powerful force in her life and some of her happiest moments were spent riding the prairie with The Little Black Mare, Babe, Polly, Sugar Sal or Agnes Sweet Pea as her equine companion.
Family members speculated that her flight into heaven might have been on her father's Belgian stud horse, Delbek.
A private burial has taken place. For those wishing to make a memorial tribute, the family suggests donations to the Flathead Spay and Neuter Task Force at P.O. Box 2095, Whitefish, MT 59937.