Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Dorothy Jane Nelson Sinn, 94, passed away on July 27, 2018 at the Washakie Medical Center in Worland.

Dorothy was born on December 4, 1923 in Basin, WY. She joined her older brother, Elmer at the family farm at Elk Creek. The next 15 years saw the arrival of 6 more siblings and the acquisition of 2 more farms.

Family was the cornerstone of the Nelson family's lives. Dorothy's mother, Martha was a Bosch. That meant large family gatherings at Grandma Bosch's at the home place on 10-mile Creek. Dorothy's father also had siblings whose farms were next to his. Dorothy remembered fondly her and her 3 brothers damming Uncle Ed's irrigation water so they could play in the water. Uncle Ed was always very patient with them.

Dorothy graduated from Manderson High School in 1942. That fall she attended the University of Wyoming and studied business for a year. As World War II waged on, Dorothy joined the Army Nurses Cadet Corps in 1943 and graduated on October 1, 1946 from the Montana State College School of Nursing. World War II ended before Dorothy received her commission. She returned to the family farm to help care for her beloved father who had been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. She continued to care for him until his death in 1961 after being bedridden for 15 years.

On December 26, 1954, Dorothy married George Sinn, Jr. whose family operated a successful farming/ranching operation next to her parents' farm.

Dorothy always said she knew what she was doing when she married Junior because Junior and his family were successful. Junior always said he knew what he was doing when he married Dorothy because she knew how to handle money.

On April 1st, Easter Sunday, 1956 G. Albert Sinn was born. There was never a more loved son, grandson and nephew. Dorothy and Junior soon discovered that Albert was not only a beautiful and wonderful child, he also had a very high intellect.

On October 31, 1957, their second son, Timothy Nelson Sinn was born. Tim was different than their first born. He had athletic ability and a mechanical mind. Anything Albert thought up...Tim could implement.

In her later years Dorothy told Albert she did not want to know what her two boys had been up to all those years. There were plenty of stories of adventure she really could not handle knowing.

In the Fall of 1963 Dorothy discovered she was pregnant for the third time. She decided she wanted a girl she could name Ivy and Ivy would have long beautiful hair. On June 7, 1964, that is what Dorothy got. There was a lot of hair on that baby's head.

By this time the family had moved to the farm Dorothy would spend the next 53 years. That is when it started...Dorothy loved to dig in the dirt. The flower beds became more extensive as each year passed and the garden grew to almost a half-acre. Along with the big yard and garden were milk cows, chickens, bum lambs, cats and more cats. She was fond of certain cats now and then, but she absolutely loved her dogs.

Three events shaped Dorothy's life, the Great Depression, World War II, and her father being bed-ridden for 15 years with Parkinson's Disease. The hardships of those three events meant she knew how to work, utilize everything available to her and save money. Those three events also gave her an understanding of what was important in life: Family.

Dorothy and her siblings were extremely close. Her brother Alvin lived on the homeplace next to the Sinn Farm. His children and grandchildren were a constant in her life. Her brother Bud lived across the river on the other homeplace and she doted on her nephew Cliff. Her other siblings, many have not been close in proximity, but Dorothy had a close relationship with most all of their children.

And then there was her sister, Bert. Although their ages were separated by almost 10 years, no two sisters could be closer. Dorothy remembers Bert as being the only sister who would gladly run after her. That lasted for over 80 years, as Bert was with her as she took her final breath. Bert and Dorothy's oldest sons were born one month apart and that began what would be a lifetime of intertwining their families and lives. Those Seaman kids loved their "Auntie".

Dorothy was fortunate to live on the family farm long after Junior passed away. The flower beds got larger and Albert took over the garden, raising pumpkins and produce to sell to the local grocery stores.

Dorothy passed on to her children the ability to grow things, the love of dogs, and the love of beautiful objects, the love of knowledge and reading, plus knowing how to work and work hard.

She was extremely proud of Tim and Ivy for taking care of their beloved brother, Albert, as he struggled in his last years of life and as he faced death with humor and courage. Dorothy greatly appreciated Lynn and Steve as they supported Tim and Ivy during those tough and challenging times.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Martha (Bosch) Nelson, her husband, George Sinn, Jr., her brothers, Len, Elmer and Bud Nelson and infant daughter, Sara Jean (Ivy's twin) and son, G. Albert Sinn.

Dorothy is survived by her brother, Alvin Nelson, sisters, Sally Mauer, Bert (Jack) Seaman), Aggie Webb, son, Timothy (Lynn) Sinn, grandson, David (Tessa) and great-grandchildren, Malachi and Vivian; her daughter, Ivy Sinn (Stephen Keefer) and one last farmcat, Tobie.

Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 3, 2018 at Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Pastor Tim Trippel officiating. There will be a luncheon at the American Legion following the services. The family asks that you please send no flowers or plants, but instead to make a donation to the New Hope Humane Society c/o Bryant Funeral Home, PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Or feed a stray cat or save an abandoned dog. Be kind to an animal! Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.