Dorothy A. Duncan

During the early morning hours of September 4, 2018, Dorothy Anne Packer Duncan, slipped these earthly bonds and raced through the “Pearly Gates”.  She had a good relationship with her Heavenly Father, and she was more than ready to go! Dorothy was the youngest of Erwin and Martha (Suckow) Packer’s five children: Marie (Lincoln), Doris (Kegel), Bruce Packer, and Cora Mae “Brownie” (Theobald). She was born April 12, 1925 in Havre, MT and her father died only eight years later.  Her early school years were at School Dist #49, the Packer School, and School Dist #61, Oreana.  Dorothy graduated as Salutatorian in the class of 1943 from Rudyard High School. After graduation from RHS, she attended Northern Montana College to obtain a teaching certificate and subsequently taught at the Tingdahl School, north of Joplin.  While attending college, Dorothy took flying lessons and was just two lessons from getting her license. While teaching and living there, she met, fell in love with and later married John W. Duncan, a local rancher, on July 25, 1946 at Grace Church, north of Rudyard.

In the course of time, five little Duncan’s were added, but like many other families, most scattered to the four winds: Keith (Katy) Duncan of Great Falls, Sylvia (Jack) McComber of Rocky Ford, CO, Bruce (Tammy) Duncan of Joplin, Rhea Duncan of Hermiston, OR, and Tim (Kelly) Duncan of Lafayette, IN. Teaching and church were two of Dorothy’s passions and she combined them by teaching both the young people and adult Sunday School classes at Grace Church, north of Rudyard, for many years. In her later years, she taught an in-depth study of Revelation for a group of ladies at Immanuel church, north of Joplin. Until just a few days before her death, she was leading a Bible study at the Liberty Medical Center long term care unit for residents and aides who wanted to participate.  She was very happy to be able to lead one of the ladies who lives there to the Lord in the last year and mentor her as she became an avid Bible reader and study-er.  Everyone who knew her recognized that Dorothy was happiest these last years when she was teaching and talking about her Lord. During her active years, she was involved in 4-H, the local and statewide WIFE organization, Farm Bureau Women and the Montana Cowbelles.  Dorothy was a firm believer about the importance of donating blood, so was always “front and center” when the time came to donate. She also got a lot of knitting done while waiting for John at various meetings around the state.  She and John attended the Denver Stock Show on various occasions and enjoyed some other extended vacations. In 1994 John and Dorothy moved to Indiana to help their son, Tim and his children, after the untimely death of his young wife, Karla GriffinDuncan.  She spent most of several years tending Robert and Lily and helping with Tim’s household, until the children were well-established in school and Tim was ready for the next season of life. After John’s passing 15 years ago, Dorothy spent several months each year traveling between Indiana, Oregon, Colorado, California and Montana visiting her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family. She enjoyed riding the train and made good use of unlimited passes while she was able. The last big adventure in her life was a long wished for trip to Israel with Tim and her wonderful Indiana church family.  Her mobility was a little limited by that time, but she loved every minute of the trip.  She “relived” the events several times after she got home by sharing slides and information with anyone who was interested.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, John. Her parents, all of her sisters and brother, and nephews~Roy Lincoln, Lee Lincoln, and Dan Packer.  She is survived by her 5 children, 11 grandchildren: Bonnie (McComber) Wheatley, Heather (McComber) Kohl, John Cole McComber, Samantha (Golden) Gravert, Suzanna (Golden) Green, Michael Duncan, Neal Duncan, Reece Duncan, Bradley Duncan, Robert Griffin-Duncan, Lillian Griffin-Duncan, Jeff Foxworthy and 13 great-grandchildren: Regan and Saige Wheatley, Josie (Kohl) Sattler, Clara Kohl, Lyndee Golden, Trygve and Charlie Green, Mikalie, Hadlie, Whitlie, and Briggs Duncan, Savannah Duncan, Amelia Griffin-Duncan; and many dear nieces and nephews. Interment will take place at the ranch north of Joplin on Tuesday, September 18 at 9:30 am and a Memorial Service will be held at Calvary Evangelical Church in Rudyard at 11:00 am, following the burial.