Dorothy Nan Kennemer

Dorothy Nan Kennemer, 93, former long-time member of the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department, now the Department of Health and Human Development at Montana State University-Bozeman, died April 25 at Bear Creek respite Care Center where she had received loving care the past few months.



She was born October 26, 1923 in Springfield, MO to Everett and Edith (Whitlatch) Kennemer. She graduated from Springfield Senior High in 1940 and from Southwest Missouri State in 1944. She received her M.S. degree from Washington State University in 1949. She also attended many other universities for special courses in advanced work.



She taught Junior and Senior high schools in Eldon, MO and Concordia KS before coming to MSU in 1949. She retired from MSU in 1978 as an Associate Professor Emeritus. She was a long time member of the American and Montana Associations of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, the American Square Dance Society, the International Academy of Aquatic Art, and the Montana Recreation and Parks Association. She served as Water Safety Chairman and Water Safety Instructor for Cloud County, KS and for the local Five Rivers Chapter of Gallatin County, MT.



In 1978 she was awarded the Honor Award for contributing to the Association and Profession by the Montana Association on HPE&R. In 1979 she was awarded the ARC Award for 38 years contribution to Water Safety. In 1997 she was awarded a Honorary Lifetime membership to Montana Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance for outstanding service.

She was active at The Bozeman Bowl in the Senior Bowling League and served as its Secretary/Treasurer for 18 years.



She is survived by niece Sharon Sage in Springfield, MO, nephew Robert Gillespie in Sioux City, IA, and nephew Kenny Gillespie in Liberty, MO, and several cousins.



The body has been cremated, and at her request there will be no services. Her ashes will be buried beside her parents in Springfield, MO. Contributions in her memory may be made to the "Dorothy N. Kennemer Scholarship Fund" for future teachers in Physical Education which she began at the time of her retirement. Please send to: MSU Foundation 1501 S. 11th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59717.