Dorothy Ann (Bower) Palmer Grasmick

Dorothy Ann (Bower) Palmer Grasmick, 95, of Nampa passed away on September 18, 2015. She was the youngest of four children born to Freeman and Veda Bower in New Plymouth, Idaho on August 28, 1920. At age two her parents moved to Oakland, California, returning to Idaho seven years later.

Dorothy attended school in New Plymouth graduating from New Plymouth High School in 1939. After high school she traveled to Oakland, California to visit her brother before starting college and while there met Barton Palmer. She returned to Idaho to attend college but the love bug won out. Bart traveled to Idaho and they were married on November 26, 1939.

She and Bart lived in Oakland for eleven years where they had two children, Bart Jr. and Patti. In 1950 they returned to Idaho making Nampa their home. Four years later their third child, Bruce was born. The family spent many years camping in Cascade, Warm Lake and Silver Creek.

While raising her children, Dorothy was very active in many organizations. She was Worthy Matron of the Rainbow Chapter of the Eastern Star in 1962, President of Demolay Mother's Club, President of the Eta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, President of United Transportation Union Auxiliary, a member of the Musettes, and Majors & Minors.

In 1966 Bart developed Leukemia and died, leaving Dorothy to raise 11 year old Bruce. Dorothy returned to college at Northwest Nazarene University and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Education. She taught at Vallivue High School and NNC until her retirement.

In 1971 she met Reuben Grasmick and they were married in May 1972 in the United Methodist Church in Nampa. Her extended family included two more adult children, Douglas and Leola, and five grandchildren. Dorothy and Reuben were active and devoted members of the Trinity Lutheran Church.

In retirement Reuben and Dorothy were very involved in their community and were tireless volunteers. They were involved in Meal on Wheels, American Cancer Society, United Transportation Union, Nampa Centennial and the Nampa Senior Center.

Reuben developed prostate cancer and passed away in December 1999. They had been married twenty-seven years.

Dorothy's life was filled with many beautiful memories; she was blessed with a beautiful family and numerous friends.

She is preceded in death by her two sisters, Lura and Ruth, one brother Orville and two husbands, Bart (1966) and Reuben (1999).

She is survived by her three children, Bart Palmer (Sue) of Boise, Patti Kalousek (Jim) of Nampa and Bruce Palmer (Kathie) of Sasebo, Japan, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in Dororthy's name to the Nampa Senior Center, 207 Constitution Way, Nampa, Idaho 83686 or St Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Family Life Memory Care and Horizon Hospice for the wonderful care of their mother.

A memorial service to celebrate and honor her life will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, September 24, 2015 at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 8 S. Midland Blvd., Nampa, Idaho. A private family burial will precede the services in the Cloverdale Memorial Park, Boise. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. An online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com

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