Obituary of Dorothy Louise Diprose

Dorothy Louise Diprose

September 3, 1927 ~ June 16, 2026

Dorothy Diprose was born on September 3, 1927 at Delia, AB. She was the fourth of five children born to Robert and Mary Wallace. She grew up on the family farm southwest of Delia with her siblings Margaret, Bert, Dean and Les. The children received their education at a one-room school house, Enterprise Valley School, as well as high school in Drumheller.

It was Bob Diprose that captured Dorothy’s heart and they were married on June 23, 1948. They farmed in the Verdant Valley district east of Drumheller, and it was here that they raised a family that grew to include three children — Terry (1950), Don (1953) and Rosemary (1955).

Bob and Dorothy enjoyed their years at Verdant Valley. It was here she began her school bus driving career that would eventually span nearly 35 years, driving to the Verdant Valley and Drumheller schools. She was active in the community and was a member of the Verdant Valley – Dorcas Women’s Institute, ice curled and bowled in Drumheller and enjoyed the company of many good neighbours. In 1972, they sold the farm to the Verdant Valley Hutterite Colony and purchased a farm east of Botha.

Botha was a new chapter that Bob and Dorothy adapted to quickly and they became a part of the community in no time, met new neighbours and made new friendships. She and Bob again involved themselves in ice curling, bowling, dance clubs, floor curling and later activities at the Botha senior’s centre.

As their children married, the Diprose family grew to include five grandsons – Brad, Michael, Mark, Travis and Tyler - who Dorothy adored and always had advice for. She never got any granddaughters, for that she had to wait for great-grandchildren and she got two great-grandaughters Evie and Ella and four great-grandsons – Caleb, Kiefer, Emrys and Beckett – who had a special place in her heart.

The travel bug bit and Bob and Dorothy enjoyed seeing many parts of the world – New Zealand, cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean including Venezuela, Tennessee, Branson, Las Vegas, the Tulip Festival in B.C. and several other locations.

Dorothy loved farm life and all that it entailed — the animals, watching the crops grow, the new garden vegetables and the changing seasons. But retirement was calling and the farm was sold to the Lone Pine Hutterite Colony in 1996.

Bob and Dorothy purchased a home in Stettler for their next chapter, and to no one’s surprise became involved there as well, again meeting new neighbours and friends, while still maintaining ties to the Botha community. Dorothy was a member of the United Church, a volunteer with at the Stettler hospital gift shop and part of a ladies’ coffee club, bowling and floor curling.

Dorothy was a people person and could strike up a conversation with any one. She enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends. Her and Bob was so blessed to have so many wonderful neighbours in all three of the communities they lived in, making many life-long friendships.

After 67 years of marriage, Bob passed away in 2015, but Dorothy managed to carry on in her own home until about three years ago with help from neighbours and family.

When more care was needed Willow Creek Lodge and Points West Living became her home.

Dorothy passed away on June 16, 2026 at Stettler, AB in her 99th year. It was life well-lived full of memories. It was a life of nearly a century that we celebrate today. She was fortunate to remain active nearly to the end with a bucket list that was complete.

No one could write a better story – a long, full, beautiful life – leaving hearts full of memories for all that knew her.

Dorothy is survived by her children — Terry (Diane) Diprose, Don Diprose and Rosemary (Les) Stulberg — her grandchildren — Brad (Louanne) Diprose, Michael (Jessie) Diprose, Mark (Monique) Diprose, Travis Stulberg and Tyler (Samantha) Stulberg and her great-grandchildren — Caleb, Kiefer, Evie and Emrys Diprose and Beckett and Ella Stulberg as well as sisters-in-law Lois Wallace and Dolline Good and many nieces, nephews and good friends.

She was predeceased by her husband Bob, her parents Robert and Mary Wallace and all her siblings — Margaret (Bill) Chambers, Bert (Mary) Wallace, Dean Wallace and Les Wallace.

As well, all of Bob’s family — his parents Fred and Rose Diprose, and siblings —Fred (Dot) Diprose, Bill (Blanche) Diprose, Peggy (Fred) Schrock, Ken (Lucie) Diprose and Harold Diprose.

Celebration of Life

Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 2:00 PM

Stettler Funeral Home, Stettler, Alberta

Memorial donations may be made to Botha Seniors Activities Club, Stettler Health Services Foundation, or a charity of the donor’s choice.