Dorothy S. Nance

Dorothy “Dotti" was born June 5, 1931, in Holy Cross Hospital, Salt Lake City, to Edna Marvel Stratford and Otto John Schaar.

She graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City and attended the University of Utah. She took a dance class and met the love of her life, Paul D Nance. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 10, 1952. They moved to Boulder, Colorado. Paul earned a master's degree, and they began bringing their children into the world.

When Paul graduated, they moved to California for work. They lived with relatives for a while and eventually built a house in Sepulveda. Dotti loved the ocean and nice weather but they both wanted their parents to be part of their children's lives, so they moved back to Utah in 1957. They settled in Brigham City, near Paul's job at Thiokol.

Dotti and Paul led very active lives. They danced continually, line dancing into her late 80s. They snow skied, water skied, played tennis, ran, biked and camped. She won a few downhill races at Snowbird! Driving through Brigham, she would point out the different running routes she would take (including around Mantua Lake).

As their family grew with 4 children, they built a cabin near Bear Lake. This began a lifelong attachment to the Caribbean of the Rockies. Dotti spent her summers at the lake hosting all her children and their families.

In their retirement years, Dotti and Paul enjoyed outdoor adventures at their Washington, Utah, home during the spring and fall. Dotti continued this through 2025.

Later their home base was in Centerville Utah, where they could be closer to their children.

Dotti's love of her Lord and Savior was central to her life. She raised her children to be strong in faith. She encouraged continual, active participation in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a welcome addition to the many wards to which she belonged. We always looked forward to her humble prayers of thanksgiving for the many gifts God has provided.

Dotti was preceded in death by her husband Paul D Nance. She is survived by her four children Monica (J.R.) Knight, Corey (Cathy) Nance, Brad (Teri) Nance and Shawna (Bernie) Josten; thirteen grandchildren; and twenty-seven great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at the Porter Lane 3rd Ward Building, 436 W. 400 S, Centerville, Utah., followed by the funeral services at 11 a.m.

Memories may be shared in the "Guestbook" on this obituary page.

Instead of flowers, Dotti would request that donations be made to Bear Lake Watch at https://bearlakewatch.org/donate/

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page.