Dorothy Anne Drovdal Honeychurch (April 1, 1925 – January 30, 2024)
Dorothy Anne Honeychurch departed this earth on January 30, 2024 exactly how she arrived into it, surrounded by love and embracing life. As a lifelong learner, she was always ready for life’s next adventure. Through her last breath she kept moving forward with her eyes set on the horizon.
Dorothy Anne was born in Arnegard, North Dakota, into a different time, an era of one room school houses, the daughter of immigrant homesteaders. From her parents she learned that even when it seemed there was just enough to go around, there was always enough for one more at the dinner table. While she grew up in rural North Dakota during the Depression, she was just as deeply shaped by her 70+ years living in Butte.
Dorothy Anne was a lover of people and adventures. Across seven continents and 48 countries, hundreds of trips to Yellowstone, and countless visits with family and friends, she approached life with wonder, fascination, and curiosity. On those journeys she never once encountered a stranger, always gladly sharing a meal and celebrating the blessings forged by new connections.
To those who knew and loved her, and there were many around the globe, she was a monument of strength and perseverance. Her strong Norwegian back supported shoulders that the troubles of the world often fell upon, but never once did it bow. Whether it involved caring for family members, jr. high schoolers, economically vulnerable women in South Africa and Kenya, or church friends who had become housebound–her life was lived in joyful, compassionate, often exuberant, service.
She was preceded in death by her husband Fred Honeychurch, three sisters (Ruth, Helen, and Inez) and one brother (Bud).
She is survived by her three children (Sandra Honeychurch, Bob Honeychurch, and Susan Honeychurch Stephens) with their spouses, her 7 granddaughters and their families, and 9 great grandchildren were her pride and joy. She is also survived by, and had a special place in her heart for, her younger brother George and his wife Jean.
But her love did not stop with her family. Every person she met, through decades of teaching home economics, running the Butte Floral Company flower shop, a lifetime in the Daughters of Norway, participation in Gold Hill Lutheran Church, ushering at the Motherlode, her many Elderhostel trips, decades of membership in PEO, and friendships at the Belmont Senior Center, each encounter provided an opportunity to offer kindness; to be a blessing to someone else. Her quiet resolute faith had taught her there was always room for one more person in her ever-expanding heart. She will be missed by many.
A memorial service in celebration of the life of this extraordinary woman will be held at 10 a.m. March 23 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. For those unable to attend in person, there will be a live feed of the service, available at www.facebook.com/gloriadeibutte. Memorial donations may be made to Gold Hill Lutheran Church, the Belmont Senior Center, Solheim Lodge #20 of the Daughters of Norway of Butte, or a charity of your choice.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Dorothy.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Dorothy and her family.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 am
Saturday March 23, 2024
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
2300 Florence Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 am
Saturday March 23, 2024
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
2300 Florence Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
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Janice Gummer says
My deepest sympathy to the family Dorthy was a friend of my family for a long time🥰🙏🙏🙏
Bev and Bob Becker says
Our Love, Prayers and Hugs to all the family. I am so honored to be a part of her life and really loved her as a “sister” in our Daughter’s of Norway and all the support she shared with us. She was a fun loving lady!! I will miss her and all our times together, and of course all the baking we did together. Love to all
Julie Buckley says
I met Dorothy Ann and her husband Fred at Butte Floral, where my aunt Marge Buckley worked in 1971 – I had just arrived in Butte. Dorothy Ann was a lovely and gracious person, and she will be missed. May she rest in peace
Paul Laird says
Such a wonderful Lady. She will be missed by everyone who knew her. My deepest sympathy to her family.!!
Sally Laird says
What a sweet lady Dorothy Anne was. We rented some rooms from her many years ago and she was so gracious. Love and comfort and prayers for her family. I know you were all precious to her. She was proud of her family. Much love from the Laird family.
Janie Payne says
Dorothy Ann was my home economics teacher when I was in grade school at Holy Savior. I will never forget the green jumper I made under her tutelage all those 50+ years ago. I also golfed with her many years later at Highland View Women’s League where she told me about Elderhostel and encouraged me to try it once I retired. Unfortunately, I never did, but I always enjoyed the stories about her travels. The last time I saw her, she was sitting on a stool, still passing out programs at the Mother Lode Theatre. She was amazing, and I was in awe of her zest for life and for learning. I am sincerely sorry for your loss. How blessed you were to have a mother like her.
MaryLynn Fay says
hello Dorothy Ann, our ” sunny” friend. words cant express how much we miss you. we were neighbors for 30 some years, and you were a blessing to us. We miss your many visits on our deck . your presence in our lives made our stay in Butte very enjoyable! Does love go into eternity? I believe it does. Love you, Jim and MaryLynn Fay
MaryLynn Fay says
xoxoxo
Patty Higinbotham says
I am really going to miss Dorothy Anne in my life. I am happy that she is at peace now. She was my idol. Her cheerful, positive attitude made me so happy that she was in my life. Age was not an issue with her. She baked, she sewed , she traveled and did everything she wanted to do. Making her granddaughter’s beautiful wedding dress, driving to Seattle to see her King, participating in everything she could possibly do. She gave the best travel programs after her trips. At Homer Club as the treasurer, we teased her unmercifully about using our money for her trips. She had great stories about her life, travels and family. You are a very lucky family. When she quit driving I asked her why. Her answer that she could not see the lane lines on Harrison Ave. it told her no one can see the lines on that street. I am sorry I cannot attend her service but I will have such wonderful memories and love for my dear friend
Maura Uggetti says
I was lucky enough to have met at a young age and knew right away what an incredible person she was. Her joy for life was amazing and you captured it all so well in this beautiful tribute to her. This world has lost a superstar and heaven has gained an angel.
Brenda McLellan says
Bob, Sylvia and all the family….what an amazing legacy of love, compassion and boundless energy in your Mom. So glad that love is not earthbound, but shared forever!
Daniel ONEILL says
Dorothy Ann was a kind and happy person with a positive attitude. I really enjoyed the oppotunity to visit and do maintenence on her sprinklers. Her kind Norwegian hug was always welcoming.
Marlene HendricksonJohn Hendrickson says
Such a lovely woman! She taught me how to sew in junior high school, which became a lifelong skill. I remember her as a patient and kind teacher, who took great pride in her appearance. I am certain she will be missed by many. Condolences to her family.
Maureen Robinson says
I often referred to her as my “other mom”. She played a huge part in my life from a small child to adulthood. I have few memories that don’t include her, Sandra, Bob and Susan.
My life has been graced by knowing such a strong, loving, talented woman who loved me unconditionally, even when I was a pest!
Thank you Dorothy Ann for being such a wonderful role model, friend and much much more. I will miss you.
Jane J Lambertson says
I had the privilege of playing bridge with Dorothy Ann for many years. We were in the same bridge club that met at Big Sky Retirement for lunch and bridge and also in a second bridge group. Dorothy Ann was a sharp player. She also enjoyed telling us about her family and the next trip she would be taking. Such a wonderful lady.
Terri Boyle says
Deepest sympathies to all of us who were impacted by Mrs. Honeychurch. She was a caring and loving teacher who helped many of us at East Junior High School back in the early eighties.
Connie Spillum says
Dorothy was a great teacher, neighbor and friend. Susan, Sandra and Bob, I am sorry for your loss. I am sure you have great stories to tell!!
Love and prayers to all of you.
Connie Spillum
Tara Gallagher says
What an amazing person Dani was! I only met her a few times, through Ruth Sommerfeld, Lois Lokensgard and my sis-in-law Sara Lokensgard Gallagher. She was a delightful force of fun and love. She set the bar high for how to live well. I loved hearing about her travels with Ruth and so much more. Pure inspiration and love to all of her beloveds!