Dorothy Lynch Obituary

Dorothy Wohlgemuth Lynch, 85, passed away July 23, 2024. She was born August 20, 1938, in Atchison, Kansas to Thelma and Edward Wohlgemuth.

After graduating from Atchison High School, Dorothy received a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1959 from the University of Kansas where she was a member of Mortar Board and honored as a Hilltopper. She went on to teach first and second grades in the territory of Hawaii as well as Giessen, Germany before arriving and continuing to teach in Salina, Kansas.

In 1964 Dorothy married Bryan H. Lynch "Ham" and enjoyed eight years together before his passing in 1973.

Dorothy became a director of J. Lynch and Co. in 1973 and guided the company through its sale in 1981.

Dorothy lived a very full life with much of it devoted to serving within her community. During her time in Salina, she served as Chairman of the United Way Campaign, President of the Salina Community Theatre Board, Member and Chair of the Salina Airport Authority Board, Treasurer at Christ Cathedral, Director of First Bank of Kansas, Member of the Fox-Watson Theatre Restoration Board (now The Stiefel Theatre) as well as serving on several endowment boards.

Dorothy also accepted opportunities to be involved at the University of Kansas. In 1989, she was appointed to the KU Endowment Board of Trustees and served until reaching emeritus status as a Life Trustee. She served twice on the KU Alumni Association National Board of Directors, her second term as Chairman. She also served on the Memorial Corporation Board (Student Union), both as a member and as President. She was very pleased to be on the first KU Hospital Authority Board when the hospital became independent from the State of Kansas, currently known as the University of Kansas Health System. She then served on the KU Medical Center Advancement Board. In 1997, the KU Alumni Association honored Dorothy with the Fred Ellsworth Medallion for her dedication to KU. In 2000, she received the Distinguished Service Citation from The University of Kansas for her service to humanity.

After moving to Olathe, Kansas to be closer to family, Dorothy continued to travel and always enjoyed an adventure, but her greatest joy was spending as much time as possible with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her two daughters: Susan (Robert Butler) Brown of St. Louis, Missouri, Teresa (Todd Michaelis) Hanna of Lawrence, Kansas; grandchildren: Isabella Brown, Ian Hanna, and Shea Hanna; sisters: Carol Wohlgemuth, Joan Musbach, and Lois Stanton; as well as several extended family members and longtime friends. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, Elizabeth Duckers, and son-in-law, Christopher Hanna.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 11:00am at Trinity Episcopal Church, with a reception following, 1011 Vermont St., Lawrence, Kansas. A private family inurnment will take place in Salina, Kansas at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to be made to KU Endowment in support of KU Faculty Support and Medical Research by sending a check payable to KU Endowment, memo line: Dorothy Lynch, PO Box 928, Lawrence, Kansas 66044 or at www.kuendowment.org/DorothyLynchMemorial.