In Memory Of
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Eldora F. “Dorrie” Cunningham
Topeka, KS
01/21/1928 - 06/20/2011
Eldora F. “Dorrie” Cunningham, 83, of Topeka, KS, formerly of Seneca, died Monday, June 20, 2011 at her home.
She and her twin sister, Debora May, were born January 21, 1928 in Washington, KS, the oldest of nine children of Clarence and Margaret Roland Williams. She grew up in Hanover, KS and attended school there until her family moved to Marysville, KS in 1944. She worked at Perry’s Packing Company during WWII and also at West Gate Cafe, both in Marysville.
She married Robert James Cunningham on April 16, 1950. They lived in Washington state for three years before moving to Kansas City, MO in 1953. She worked for seven years at Neval’s Luggage Company in Kansas City, making luggage. She and Robert were divorced in April of 1959.
Dorrie married Clarence M. Marr of Kansas City on February 16, 1960 in Las Vegas. Clarence was a building contractor and built homes in the greater Kansas City area and in Shawnee and Mission, KS. They later bought Stove Lake near La Cygne, KS. They drained and cleaned the lake and developed fish ponds for raising bass, channel cat and other species for fishing. In 1972, she and Clarence moved to Green Valley, AZ. They purchased land in the area and developed a housing tract. Two streets in the development were named after Dorrie, one “Eldora Place” and the other “Eldorita Place”.
Clarence preceded her in death on December 31, 1985, after 25 years of marriage.
Dorrie married Francis P. “Corky” Cunningham on March 26, 1987 in Seneca. They did volunteer work at the Sts. Peter & Paul Mission Center for several years and enjoyed hunting and fishing together. Corky preceded her in death on October 20, 1996. In October of 1999, she moved to Topeka.
She was a member of the Assumption Catholic Church in Topeka, and was a former member of the La Cygne Christian Church in Arizona and of Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca.
Survivors include step-children, nieces and nephews.
Besides her husbands, Dorrie was preceded in death by her parents; two infant brothers, Mike and Larry Dean Williams; brothers, Ralph, Clarenece and Daniel Williams; her twin sister, Debora May Issacson; and two other sisters, Helen Kornig and Rebecca Baim.
A rosary will be prayed at 2 PM Wednesday, June 22, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 AM Thursday, June 23, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given for the Sts. Peter & Paul Mission Center.
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