Dorothy J. Tharp, 97, of Hiawatha, went to be with her Lord Friday morning, November 21, 2014.
Dorothy, the eldest of three children, was born July 20, 1917, at Morrill, born to Joseph Ray and Effie Snyder Nicholson.  The family moved around a lot due to her father rented different farms in Morrill, Fairview and Hiawatha communities, where she graduated from Hiawatha High School with the class of 1935. 
She married DeLysle “Hap” Tharp, February 26, 1939, at the Baptist Parsonage in Hiawatha.  They spent some time where they worked in Wichita prior to living most of their married life in Parkville, Missouri where Dorothy worked in the office for a uniform company.  He died June 27, 1989, upon which time Dorothy returned to Hiawatha to make her home.  She had been a resident of Vintage Park Assisted Living for a few years.
Her family and Church was very important to Dorothy.  While at Parkville, she played piano and taught Sunday school for her Church there.  At Hiawatha, she was a member of the First Baptist Church Family Life Center where through the years, active in the Mary Circle, and Altruist Sunday School Class.  Through the years, she played piano at the nursing home for the ‘old folks’.
Dorothy was also preceded in death by her parents; her brother Donald Nicholson; and a sister Maxine Koelliker.
Survivors include nieces and nephews: Patty (Wayne) Regnier of Topeka,  Don (Pat) Nicholson of Sturgeon, MO, Janet (Dick) Dockins of Ashland, MO, Jim (Susan) Koelliker of Manhattan, KS, Mary (Vern) Finley of Hiawatha, KS, Ruth (Larry) Hartman of Oak Harbor, WA; many grand and great grand nieces and nephews also survive.
A Celebration of Dorothy’s life is planned for 10 a.m. Monday, November 24, at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Hiawatha, with Pastor Greg Pudwill officiating.  Interment will follow at Powhattan Cemetery.
Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha after 12 noon Sunday where the family will meet with friends from 5-6 Sunday afternoon.
Memorial contributions are suggested to First Baptist Church Memorial Fund or Vintage Park Assisted Living which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha, 66434.
A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com