DOROTHY JEAN R. KREKEL
MAJ US ARMY (RET)
Dorothy Jean R. Krekel MAJ US Army (Ret) of Knob Fork, WV died on Friday, November 27, 2020 from natural causes. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Harry Krekel and also by her sisters and brothers. She was the daughter of the late Anna Bulic Rocovich and Peter Rocovich of Monongalia County WV who came to American from present day Croatia.
Dorothy’s story is representative of so many immigrant families of the early 1900’s, filled with uncommon courage, hardship, sacrifice, loss and perseverance. Her mother Anna, after getting on a ship to America at the age of 18, married Pete and settled in Thomas, WV. Pete fluent in five languages would read the foreign newspapers to his neighbors. They had many children, Dorothy one of the youngest. They lost two of her brothers to coal mine accidents. Dorothy though was especially fond of her brother Johnny, a US Army Air Force pilot in WWII who flew 35 transatlantic missions but, who most importantly, taught her to dance.
Dorothy attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Huntington, WV and graduated in 1945. She entered the Army in 1949 and was commissioned as a 1st Lt in the US Army in that year. She served the country as a medical surgical head nurse for 20 years, 8 of these overseas, she retired as a Major in 1969.
Dorothy was a dedicated sister and friend. She will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Contributions in her name can be made to the Wetzel County Human Society.
The Tennant Funeral Home in Hundred, WV is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences
I am sorry for the loss of such a wonderful person. I appreciate her service to our country. I am sad that I never knew her as she was my grandfather's sister. My father was William Rocovich, son of Anna and Paul Rocovich. My condolences to Dorothy's friends and family
I am honored to have known this little lady! I will remember her forever! Thank you Miss Dorothy for your service and your heart! Love Always!