Sept. 9, 1936 – May 1, 2025

Dorothea Elizabeth Schwaiger died at home in West Linn, Oregon on May 1. She was born on Sept. 9, 1936 in Kansas City, Missouri. Her husband of 60 years, Donald Rupert Schwaiger, predeceased her in 2011. She left behind her son Keith Schwaiger, who passed on July 3. He left behind his wife Debbie, her daughter Karen Harrington (Danny), five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and a large extended family of brothers and sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She and Don raised their family in La Crescenta and Montrose. Many will remember her knitted or crocheted blankets, hats, scarfs and booties.

Dody was a community leader wherever she lived including president of the PTA at Dunsmore Elementary School, leader of the Scouts and Camp Fire Girls, and numerous community organizations.

She was everyone’s friend; when you worked, traveled or played with Dody, you had fun.

She was central to a large extended family, gathering every week for Sunday dinners at Grandpa and Grandma Burks’ home across the street from Crescenta Valley High School.

Friends and family were always welcome in her home and often traveled with Dody and Don on their water skiing and motorhome adventures. Dody was always there – at births, birthdays, recitals, sports games, weddings and graduations – even moving. She didn’t miss a thing.

A memorial will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6 in West Linn, Oregon; contact Karen Harrington for details. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to

https://carepartnersor.org, her loving palliative and hospice care support team, or

https://k9sforwarriors.org, which serves our vets and pets needing homes.