Retired U.S. Army Maj., Dorothy Jean R. Krekel, of Knob Fork, died on Friday, Nov. 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, who came to America from present day Croatia.
Dorothy’s story is representative of so many immigrant families of the early 1900s, 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 (Tucker County). Pete, fluent in five languages would read the foreign newspapers to his neighbors. They had many children; Dorothy being one of the youngest. They lost two of her brothers to coal mine accidents. Dorothy, though, was especially fond of her brother, Johnny, a U.S. Army Air Force pilot in World War II, who flew 35 transatlantic missions but, who, most importantly, taught her to dance.
Dorothy attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Huntington and graduated in 1945. She entered the Army in 1949 and was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army in that year. She served the country as a medical surgical head nurse for 20 years, eight 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 is in charge of arrangements.
