Obituary for Dorothy Hetrick

Dorothy Mae Hetrick

September 11, 1922 – May 6, 2019

Dorothy Mae Kriter Hetrick passed from this life on May 6, 2019, at the age of 96 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was born to Leona Cecilia Bonewell and Forest William Kriter on September 11, 1922, on the family farm west of Blackwell, Oklahoma.

Dorothy attended elementary classes at Cooper School, then attended junior and senior high school in Blackwell, graduating in 1939. After high school, she attended Northern Oklahoma Junior College and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree from Oklahoma State University in 1961. Dorothy then continued her education, receiving her Masters Degree in Education in 1963.

Dorothy’s passion was serving as a teacher and principal in the Oklahoma communities of Stillwater, Bartlesville and Blackwell. She attended many workshops and conferences throughout her career, demonstrating her life-long dedication to children. She has always loved children and continued to be drawn to them even after retiring from education. She was voted Blackwell Teacher of the Year in 1983.

She was awarded the “Flying Aggie” Award in 2018 from Oklahoma State University’s College of Education, Health, and Aviation for her pioneering spirit in women’s aviation.

Dorothy has been described as a truly sweet soul: kind, gentle, loving, and an all-around nice person. Her graceful, sensitive spirit will be cherished and dearly missed by all who knew her.

Dorothy and her husband, Chuck, were dedicated Oklahoma State wrestling fans with many years of season tickets, following the teams to many NCAA wrestling tournaments throughout the years.

She was a member of the Oklahoma Education Association, Parent/Teacher Organization, Blackwell Teacher’s Organization, Blackwell United Methodist Church and a member of the Building Fund, WSCS Chairman, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, and American Association of University Women and Kappa Kappa Iota.

Dorothy enjoyed flowers and gardening, attending the Retired Teachers Luncheons, cooking, reading, all things family and she and husband, Chuck, loved to travel.

Dorothy married Charles W. Hetrick on July 18, 1944. They were blessed with four children and twelve grandchildren, all of whom survive Dorothy; daughter, Vicki and husband, Charlie Holdridge, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and their children, Cheri Thomas, Kelli Stafford and JoDee Jones; sons, Dr. Charles Hetrick, Jr. and wife, Mary Beth of Edmond, Oklahoma, and their children, Holly Thompson and Chad Hetrick; Grady Hetrick and wife Sue of Katy, Texas, and their children, Scott Hetrick, Stephen Hetrick, Annilyn Young and Jordyn Freeman, and Dr. Clinton Hetrick and wife, Karen of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and their children, Ali Weatherfield, Grant Hetrick and Gabby Hetrick.

Great grandchildren include Madison, Hunter and Chandler Stafford; Kennedy and Morgan Thomas; Sydney and Cassidy Shannon; Aubree, Stephanie and Danielle Thompson; Kole Hetrick, Taylor Algrim, Andrew and Mason Young, Hadley and Hope Hetrick, Maya Hrisook, Brooks and Lane Weatherfield and Coulter Hetrick.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Forest and Leona Kriter; her husband, Charles; and her sister, Carolee Ebert.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., May 9th in the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell with Rev. Cap McIlnay officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Chad Hetrick, Scott Hetrick, Stephen Hetrick, Grant Hetrick, great grandson, Hunter Stafford and grandson-in-law, Matt Young.

Memorial donations may be made to the Blackwell Public School Foundation through Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631

Many thanks for the support of family and care givers.