Dorothy Byrom

Dorothy Helen Byrom was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Westport, in 1923. She married Duane Byrom there in 1945. She was employed there for many years. Tuesday, Dec. 4, her funeral will be held there. Her relationship with this church, however, will live on for many years to come -- in the lives of its members that she touched. Her involvement with the church was life-long. She raised four children, Larry, Nancy, Dean and Kent there. In March 1971, she was chosen to establish and serve as director of the Immanuel Lutheran Child Care Center. It was "a most fulfilling task, which I really enjoyed," she said. She served in that capacity for 17 years. She also served as the chairman of the Women's Circle on multiple occasions. Dorothy served on the executive board of the church's fellowship of the Women of the Evangelical Church of America (Welca), including the chairmanship six times. She was a renowned cook within the church and helped serve many meals for them, including the annual Spring Banquet and Christmas Smorgasbord. She was especially involved with the settling of the Dopicos family of Cuba and the Hynuh family of Vietnam. She serve on the church's Care Ministry team, was a commissioned Stephen Minister, and was an active member of the church's senior group, Phase III. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Manor auxiliary for a number of years, and served as vice president. Dorothy served the church and the church sustained her. Her faith was deep and strong and an inspiration to all.

Dorothy was born at home on Feb. 9, 1923, to C. Edwin and Esther Johnson. The oldest of four children, she was always a caretaker. She graduated from Westport High School in 1940, and worked at Sears, Roebuck and Pratt Whitney before marrying Duane R. Byrom on Nov. 4, 1945. Their wedding was featured in the Kansas City Star after Duane, upon hearing that his groomsmen were planning to "kidnap" his bride, visited the local police station where he asked to borrow a pair of handcuffs in order to ensure that he and Dorothy left for their honeymoon together. They built three houses together during the course of their marriage, including their retirement home in Overland Park, where Dorothy lived until her death, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007. Dorothy was an avid cook and baker. She loved to travel, garden and sew. Most of all she enjoyed her family, and she will be deeply missed by them.

She is preceded in death by husband Duane; daughter, Nancy Hoiting; and sister, Marilyn North. She is survived by her children, Larry and Gay Byrom of Liberty, Mo., Dean ad Beth Byrom of Lenexa, Kan., Kent and Phyllis Byrom of Weddington, NC, Tim and Pam Hoiting of Lexington, NC; grandchildren, Suzanne Jacobson and husband Kurt, Scott Byrom and wife Tara, Rob Hoiting, Doug Byrom, Melissa Schellenberg and husband Mitch, Rachel Williamson and husband Jeremy, Jill Hoiting, Steven Byrom, Greg Byrom, Jacob Byrom, Bryan Tadlock and wife Michelle, and Carrie Armstrong; and great-grandchildren, Baylee Byrom, Aisha Williamson and Grant Tadlock. Other survivors include brother, Carl Roland Johnson of Austin, Texas, brother, Frank Johnson and wife Melva of Hartland, Wis.; brother-in-law, Joe North and wife Bobbie of Overland Park; sister-in-law, Dorothy Jean Douglas of Parkville, Mo.; her much-beloved cousin and travel companion, Wil Johnson of Wichita, Kan.; many other cousins, nieces and nephews, and of course, her church family at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1717 Westport Road, Kansas City, Mo., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. and internment at Mt. Moriah Cemetery immediately following. Memorials in Dorothy's name may be sent to Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64145.

---