Dorothy Barklage

Dorothy Elizabeth Barklage (nee Keithly) was the wife of the late Cletus Barklage and daughter of Harrison and Lenora Keithly. Her loving family includes her children Thomas John (Sandra), Daniel (Jody) and Nancy (Teresa Welch) Barklage; her grandchildren Katherine (Ryan) Valleroy, Mitchell (Maggie Osburn) Barklage, Andrew (Sherry) Barklage, Elizabeth Barklage and Thomas John Barklage, Jr.; her greatgrandchildren Wyatt and Violet Valleroy, and her extended family Colin (Susan) Welch and Lesley (Christopher) Tomlin. She is preceded in death by her older brothers Vencil, Woodrow, and Joel W. Keithly. Dorothy is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Dorothy was known to all for her kindness and generosity. She always promoted, encouraged and inspired those around her to be their very best. Dorothy was not one to draw attention to herself, working steadfastly and tirelessly to help others personally and professionally with no expectation of recognition. Her style was one of guidance and mentorship. She was determined, reliable, strong, trustworthy, and consistent. One of the best descriptors of Dorothy's nature was that she was gracious. She had a clever wit and a wry sense of humor. Dorothy had a passion for travel and a spirit of adventure that was the legacy of her family who came to Missouri with Daniel Boone. She traversed the globe before it was fashionable to be a globetrotter, from Versailles to the Pyramids of Egypt to the azure blue waters of French Polynesia to the palaces of Japan to the Outback of Australia and fjords of New Zealand. She believed that one was forever changed by travel-- "the world is never the same to you again." After her retirement from Lindenwood, and because of her extensive knowledge of travel destinations and arrangements, she took up a retirement career as a travel agent. Dorothy was a graduate of Lindenwood University where she was elected to Alpha Sigma Tau senior scholastic honor society. She received her degree in art history while raising a family and working full time at Lindenwood. At Lindenwood, Dorothy began as an administrative assistant and rose to the position of Director of Alumni Affairs and Placement. During her tenure at Lindenwood, she organized and led many student trips abroad for January term, for courses studying art history and music. While in the Alumni office, she organized and created its first computerized database of thousands of alumni. In 1977, when Lindenwood was 150 years old, Dorothy spearheaded and coordinated the sesquicentennial activities which brought many hundred alumni to the campus. She was a coordinator and advocate in the effort to get Lindenwood's Sibley Hall on the National Registry of Historic Landmarks and to establish a museum there. In 1980, Dorothy was awarded the Alumni Merit Award in recognition of her distinguished service and devotion to Lindenwood and to the Alumni Association. For Dorothy, "Lindenwood was never just a place of employment...She gave over and above the expected—spending countless extra hours, seeing that activities and projects were planned in detail and then executed smoothly." She was also awarded the Lindenwood Very Nice Person Award. Dorothy was active in church and community activities. She was a member of PEO, American Association of University Women, and Personnel Directors of St. Louis. She is also a past director of the Altar Guild of the Lutheran Church in St. Charles. Dorothy was an avid bridge player and belonged to clubs that spanned six decades. Her children are extremely grateful they had Dorothy as their mother. She was a light to all of them. The brightness of her light will be felt by them forever. Rest in peace. Memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church or donor's choice.