Dorothy Schulte

HASLET -- Dorothy H. Schulte, 90, died Monday, May 7, 2012, at her home with her daughter holding her hand.        Graveside service: Dorothy's ashes will be buried in Pensacola, Fla., next to her husband in Pensacola Memorial Gardens at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6.        "Dot" was born Nov. 14, 1921, to John and Clara Happle in Irvington, N.J., joining a sister, Edna, and a brother, John. During World War II she became one of the millions of women who answered America's call for help. Her "Rosie the Riveter" days led her to Westinghouse and an encounter with a messy co-worker led her to marriage. Dorothy Happle worked the shift right after William Schulte. Finally tiring of having to clean up her space before she could begin work for the day, she left him a terse note to clean up his own mess. Surprised that a woman would be so bold, Bill decided to stick around and meet the note's neat author. Little did he know how bold and stubborn she could really be. After a brief courtship, which included a date to see a young Frank Sinatra, they married Oct. 17, 1942, at St. Joseph of the Palisades in West New York, N.J.        After marriage she settled into the traditional role of wife and mother, devoting all of her time and energy to her family. She had hoped to fill her home with children but that was not God's plan. She gave birth to a healthy son, William Jr., on March 13, 1944. After several failed attempts, she had another child, a son who died at birth Aug. 21, 1953. Her and Bill's dream of having another child was finally fulfilled with the birth and adoption of Karen Barbara on Dec. 19, 1961. Bill spent nine years with his daughter before dying April 13, 1971.        After briefly living in Texas, the Schulte family settled in Pensacola, Fla. In 1959, where Dorothy lived until December 2004 when she moved to Ridgecrest, Calif., to live with her daughter, Karen, and son-in-law, Rick Botham. After Rick's retirement from the military, they moved to Haslet.        Before her eyesight failed her, Dot loved to draw and crochet. She loved playing with the family pets, and at age 86 she took up Wii bowling. She spent her final years as she had her whole adult life -- devoted to her family.        Dorothy was preceded in death by her father, John Happle; mother, Clara Huelsenbeck Happle; brother, John Happle; sister, Edna Happle Gallagher; husband, William Schulte Sr.; and an infant son.        Survivors: Her son, William Schulte Jr. and his wife, Patricia, of Browns Mills, N.J.; daughter, Karen Schulte Botham and her husband, Richard, of Haslet; grandsons, William Schulte III of Browns Mills, N.J., Craig Schulte and his wife, Blanca, of Maple Shade, N.J.; and David Botham of Haslet; great-granddaughters, Alexia and Samantha Schulte of Maple Shade, N.J.; and nieces, nephews and cousins.