Dorothea Carol Shawcroft

Dorothea Carol Thomas Shawcroft, 90, received her heavenly “transfer” assignment on March 18, 2024, reuniting with her eternal and favorite companion, John Lynn Shawcroft, as well as their daughter, Marianne, who died as an infant. She is preceded in death by great-grandchildren, Parker, Ignaci, Marigold and twin brother to Nephi.  She leaves behind her children Diana Palmer (Ron), Karl, Carolyn Rasmussen (Ed), Janet Rasmussen (Ward) and Paul, her 17 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Dorothea was born on September 15, 1933 to Millard Harold Thomas and Bertha Sophia Nielson in Manassa, Colorado, joining two older brothers, Dale and Leland. Her younger sisters, Mary Jane and Sharon later completed the family. She loved her parents and siblings and they were a close-knit family throughout her life.  She loved growing up on a farm and worked hard as the oldest daughter.  She helped feed threshing crews, milked the cows, rode horses and chopped kindling.  She loved the time her dad sent her to Primary driving the tractor, even though she was so small she could barely see over the steering wheel. She was also grateful for the older boys that helped her crank it up and start the engine so she could drive it home when Primary was over.  She talked lovingly of evenings sitting at her dad’s feet after dinner while he read great books to her and her siblings.  Dorothea loved school, loved learning and was always reading a book or two. She earned her BA in Music Education from BYU in 1954.

She was invited to a dance by Lynn Shawcroft, their courtship began, and they were married on June 8, 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  They lived in LaJara and worked on the family farm, until they decided they needed a career change to support their growing family.  They left their beloved San Luis Valley in 1959 and moved to Broomfield, Colorado, where Lynn began teaching in the Boulder Valley school district.  They lived in Broomfield for the next twenty-two years and were involved with the community there, raising their 5 children, teaching piano students, serving in many church callings and making life-long friends.  In 1981 they moved to Mesa, Arizona, where Dorothea continued to serve her family, church and teach many more piano students.

In 1984 they accepted a mission call to serve in the Ecuador Quito mission.  At 51 years old, Dorothea worked hard and studied to learn to speak Spanish, which she mastered and retained until her final days.  She and Lynn also served as Mission President in the Ecuador Guayaquil mission, as missionaries in the Guatemala Guatemala City Central mission, and then were blessed to open the Guayaquil  Ecuador Temple and serve as the President and Matron. The impact they had on the lives of many missionaries and beloved people living in Ecuador and Guatemala continues on today.  When they weren’t serving in the capacity of missionaries, they loved spending time at their Colorado cabin, and Dorothea (Nana) was her happiest when the family gathered to spend time there.  Their winters were spent with family in Arizona, and many wonderful times will be remembered.

Dorothea was always a very positive, happy person, who enjoyed being a homemaker, music teacher and loving wife and grandma.  She had a valiant testimony of Jesus Christ and tried to follow His example in the way she lived her life. She spent her final years at Serenade Assisted Living home and always loved the many visitors and family who spent time with her there.  She will be dearly missed and we hope to celebrate and honor her life by following her example.

Funeral services will be Friday, April 5, 2024 with a 10:00 am viewing and services at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building at 920 S Lindsay Rd, Mesa, AZ, 85204.

The live stream link for people out of town or unable to attend the service in person: Dorthea Shawcroft Funeral

A graveside service and interment will be held at 11:00 am at the Sanford Cemetery, Sanford, CO on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.