Dorothy Temple, age 101, a resident of Fort Smith, formerly of Russellville, died Friday, May 3, 2024, at Heart of Hospice at Fort Smith.  She was born February 10, 1923, in Chester, Illinois, to Henry Charles and Lillie Hall Haacke.

She was of German descent and had many brothers and sisters.  In childhood, Dorothy enjoyed playing hopscotch and picking wildflowers.

When Dorothy became of age, she left home and worked for Abbott Laboratories in Chicago, making medicines.  She transferred with the company to Omaha, Nebraska.  After the move, she met Ed Temple at a dance.  Ed was a 30-year United States Army Air Corps and stationed in Omaha. On November 29, 1963, Ed and Dorothy wed and after they got married, she worked on base as a bookkeeper.

Dorothy and Ed loved to go ballroom dancing and danced at the Elks Lodge and the big dance hall in Omaha.  Ed's military career took them many places in the world including Germany, Japan, North Africa and Spain.  During a visit with a friend in Fort Smith, they ended up loving the area and purchasing a house in Arkansas.

She was a former member of St. John's Lutheran Church at Russellville, from 1970 to 2009, and was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Fort Smith until her passing.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Ed Temple; and a grandson, Kevin Jeffrey Frenchman.

Survivors include a daughter, Donna Frenchman; two grandsons, David Edward Frenchman and Thomas Frenchman; three great-grandchildren, Shelbie, David and Tommy Frenchman all of Oklahoma; and her dear friend and caregiver, David Boswell of Russellville.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 West Maryland Avenue, North Little Rock, Arkansas with Pastor Josh Willadsen officiating under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service in Russellville.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5:00-6:00 p.m., at the funeral home.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com.