Dorothy May Munro

May (Smith) Munro obituary

Dorothy May (Smith) Munro, was born March 14, 1914, to Bernice and Edward Smith in Junction City, Kansas. She was one of nine children. Dorothy died June 30, 2008, at the Jewell County Hospital, Mankato, Kansas, at the age of 94 years, 3 months, and 16 days.

Dorothy married Willard Jahnke in 1935, they had two children, Dale and Faye. Willard died in 1939. Dorothy was married to Finlay Munro on July 25, 1942, and had three children, Robert, James and Kathleen.

She was very active in her church and with Bible study. In her early years she worked at the hatchery with Doc and Robert. Dorothy was well known for her sewing and upholstering skills. She was best known as the “doll maker”. She made dolls for various hospitals, Toys for Tots, Indian reservations, the Haddy Beamon Home in Beatrice, Nebraska, churches, and sent some all over the world. When Jewell County Hospital opened, she made sure every child entering the hospital received a doll.

Dorothy was the first manager of the Senior Housing in Mankato until 1977. She always took care of their need and made sure they had flowers for their flower beds. Dorothy could be counted on to hold out a helping hand, no matter what.

To help get funds for the Hospital before it was built, Dorothy couldn’t drive, so she walked around Mankato to collect them. She was 4-H leader, as well as a boy and girl scout leader. She was very active in her community.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, two brothers, husband Finlay, and son Jim.

She is survived by brother, Edward Smith and wife Sheila, of Santa Rosa, California; sister Jean Kaiser, of Junction City, Kansas; son, Dale Jahnke and wife Sharon, of Tampa, Florida; daughter Faye Marting, of Mankato, Kansas; son, Bob Munro, of Mankato, Kansas; daughter Kathleen and husband George Burgess of Esbon, Kansas; eleven grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Celebration of Life Services for Dorothy May (Smith) Munro began with Graveside Services at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 5, 2008, at Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Tessa Zehring officiating. Casket bearers were: Joe Ouellette, Jeff Ouellette, Mike Burgess, Duntin Fronterhouse, Matthew Fronterhouse, Randy Weedman, II, Brayde Wagner, and Brock Jahnke. Honorary casket bearers were: Scott Warner, Mark Warner, and Cohen Ouellette. Family and friends of Dorothy Munro were invited to Critters Sports Bar for a time of fellowship and remembrances. The family asks that memorials be made to Solomon Valley Hospice or the Mankato City Park Fund. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.