Dorothy Coats, 91, Rapid City, passed away on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at Regional Health Hospice House. Dorothy passed peacefully from this life in the morning after a gradual decline in health. She was surrounded and supported by her loving family during her last days in life.

Dorothy was born in Clinton, NE to John and Catherine Short (McIntyre) on March 12, 1927. She attended school in Potato Creek, SD and Green Valley, SD. She married Darwin Coats Sr on 10/14/1944 in Martin, SD. She worked as a Rancher wife for 20 years in Wounded Knee, SD and then was a dispatch officer in Martin, SD for 8 years. Dorothy continued as many great mothers do and spent the rest of her life being there for all her family.

Dorothy is survived by her 7 children; sons: Darwin Coats Jr, Jim Coats, John Coats; daughters: Judy Miles, Peggy Werden, Shirley Sandler, and Monica Night Chase; 26 grandchildren; Shelia, Corey, Tom, Daryl, Cheryl, Ellen, Jim, Misty, Jason, Jenny, Buffy, Katie, Abilio, Sharon, Jacolin, Sandy, Gail, Princess, Teresa, Hattie, Justin, Danelle, Jason, Erik, and Randy; 63 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Dorothy is preceded in death by parents; John and Catherine Short, spouse Darwin Coats Sr, daughter Cheryl Darlene Coats and son Joe Krimmer; brothers Kenny Short and Harold Dean Short; sisters Maxine Lloyd, Bonnie Hagerman, and Clara Marie Short and grandchild; Chris Coats