Dorothea Belle Whiteline Yantis, age 88, passed away near Olympia, Washington on December 14, 2017. She had moved to Washington from Coos Bay, Oregon in June of 2014 to be near family. She was born on March 7, 1929 in Klamath Falls, Oregon to James Whiteline and Eva Allison and was raised on the family ranch by her grandmother, Katie Euphemia Whiteline and by extended family. She married Robert Addison Yantis on June 28, 1947 in Klamath Falls. They attend Oregon State University in Corvallis together, where Robert earned his college degree. Three daughters were born to the family, Aletta Elizabeth Yantis, Kathleen “Taffy” Edna Yantis, and Terri Lee Yantis. The family moved to Coos Bay in 1953. Dorothea is survived by two of her daughters, Kathleen Yantis Potter, and Aletta Yantis Shores and by seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Dorothea had an outstanding career with Weyerhaeuser Company, retiring in 1994 as Regional Purchasing Manager after 40 years with the company. She then established her own business, Arago Business Systems, and also worked for the Coos Art Museum, retiring again in 2004.

Dorothea was very active in the community. She was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. She and Robert helped build Pacific View Presbyterian Church in what was then called Empire, Oregon. Other civic organizations of which Mrs. Yantis was a member and officer included ABWA, Soroptimists, Toastmistress, PTA, as well as numerous volunteer activities in the  Coos Bay/North Bend community.

Mrs. Yantis was very active in Masonic organizations including Job’s Daughters, Amaranth, White Shrine and Eastern Star, in which she held leadership roles. She was Grand Guardian of Job’s Daughters from 1987 to 1988 and was Grand Secretary Emeritus of the Order of the Amaranth.

Dorothea was also very active in the Little Theatre on the Bay. She was awarded their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 for her many years of participation on the Board of Directors and in stage production, lighting design, play direction, ticket sales and box office management, recognizing her part in keeping the organization active through the slowdown in the economy.

Other awards given to Dorothea Yantis include Woman of the year and Boss of the Year.

Dorothea was an avid reader, loved gardening, loved the arts, and loved her community.  Most of all she loved her family, family activities and family gatherings. She was a brilliant woman, a pioneer in the advancement of respect for all women.

A Masonic memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, on Sunday, January 7, 2018, at the Coos Bay Masonic Lodge, 400 Market Avenue, to celebrate the life of Dorothea Yantis. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Little Theatre on the Bay, (building fund) •P.O. Box 404•North Bend, OR 97459 or to The Amaranth Diabetes Foundation at http://www.oramaranth.org/philanthropic.html

Arrangements are under the direction of Myrtle Grove Funeral Service-Bay Area, 541-269-2851

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