Dorothea Mae (Westra) Kirkendall

Dorothea Mae Westra Kirkendall was born and raised in the Gallatin Valley in Bozeman, MT. She was one of seven children born to Henry and Elsie Westra. Her two biggest dreams were to become a nurse and a missionary. She graduated from nursing school May 3, 1968. She married Will Kirkendall on March 19, 1971, and they joined Wycliffe Bible Translators in October 1975. They attended Jungle Camp in Mexico to prepare for serving as missionaries in health promotion. They went to Bolivia and were there for 8 years. While there, she and Will adopted two daughters, Emily and Ely. After Bolivia they went to Peru and were there for 5 years. Dorothea used her nursing skills in both these locations teaching and training others out in the Amazon rainforest villages. After she became ill with an unknown virus she and her family returned to the United States and lived in Dallas, Texas for 17 years. During her years of illness, she was not able to work, but she became a prayer warrior praying for other missionaries and missionary efforts around the world. She slowly regained her strength and got well enough to start working part time as a secretary in the office of Wycliffe Americas. In 2005, Dorothea and Will were asked to move to Costa Rica and continue working in the Wycliffe Americas office there continuing as secretary and later on in the position of prayer coordinator. They were there for 11 years. On a visit to Texas for the birth of their fourth grandchild, Dorothea was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. She and her husband became residents of China, Texas to be near family. The last five and a half years, she has continued to work for Wycliffe from home. She was very active in her church in Beaumont, TX. Most Friday nights, she and her grandchildren spent together. They went on walks, had picnics, made popcorn and cookies, and made tents in the living room. She was very involved in their lives, and she was their best friend. She and her husband, Will, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 19, 2021. She led a full life dedicated to her family and friends and in service to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Left to honor her memory is her beloved husband, Will Kirkendall; daughters, Emily Joyce McCullough and husband, Dannis, and Ely Jane Kirkendall Nolan and husband, Kevin; grandchildren, Cadence, Carrigan, Landon, and Brant; siblings, John Westra, Lola Visser, Betty Wright, Ruth Anderberg, Nell Baar, and Henry (Hank) Westra; dear friends, Jane Neiswender and Joyce Prettol; and numerous friends, extended family and loved ones.

Visitation with family and friends will be Saturday, July 24, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Reformed Presbyterian Church, 4210 Crow Rd. Beaumont, TX 77706. A life honoring memorial service will follow, beginning at 4:00 p.m, with Rev. Mark Blalock officiating.

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