Dorothy E. Robertson

Dorothy Evelyn Robertson, 95, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2018 in Shelby. She resided at the Marias Care Center. Family and friends are invited to a graveside service on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Mountain View Cemetery in Shelby.

Dorothy was born in Joplin, MT on April 8, 1923 to August and Annie Kostman (née Jurgens).  Dorothy spent her childhood on the family farm, where she loved to ride horses. It was difficult out on the prairie during the Great Depression, but it instilled in her the values of hard work and resilience. She moved to Shelby in 1940 and remained there for life. She married Thomas Robertson Sr. in 1942, right before he shipped out for France during World War II. After he returned, they had two children and started a landscaping/greenhouse business.

Dorothy loved to take road trips. Every summer she would head out on adventures throughout the US. As any proper Montana gal would, she enjoyed an occasional beer, but always first poured into a glass. She was fiercely independent and adaptable – even in her 90s, she used technology to stay connected to friends and family. She was a cherished mentor, teaching her family how to manage through life, whether it was a perfect potato salad recipe or advice on dealing with difficult problems.

Dorothy followed a calling to help others. For over 30 years, she was a Dietary Aide at the hospital in Shelby. She was the main caregiver for her elderly mother. She also helped her daughter during her struggle with breast cancer. Through all this, she always relied on her faith in God as the foundation for her life.

She was preceded in death by her mother; father; siblings, Carl, George, Arthur, Lilly and Martha; her husband; and her daughter, Angela Stratman. She is survived by her son, Thomas Robertson Jr. of Shelby; son-in-law Lee Stratman; grandchildren, Jeff Stratman, Monica Stross-Stratman, April Robertson, Seth Robertson; honorary grandson, Chad Carlson; and many beloved great-grandchildren.

The Robertson Family would like to thank the staff at the Marias Care Center for their professional and compassionate care for the elderly.

In lieu of cards or flowers, please consider a donation to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation at www.macular.org