KILLEEN, Texas — Dortha Jean Feaster Coalter, 75, passed away Aug. 30, 2016, in her home in Killeen, Texas. She was born Sept. 12, 1940, the daughter of Ferdinand L. and Leo (Whitson) Feaster.
Dortha began her life in Claflin where she attended Claflin High School, graduating in 1958. She went on to further her education at Fort Hays State University and in May of 1959, she married Clifford Charles Litzenberger in Claflin.
They raised their three children, Robin, Julie, and Dallas, in Great Bend. For the first 20 years of her children’s lives, she dedicated this time to staying home with them. All the while, she was active in the Methodist Church, a member of the League of Women’s voters, PTA president, Girl and Boy Scout Leader, and spent her extra time volunteering with Meals on Wheels. Having the privilege of being at home to raise her children was always a great accomplishment of hers.
In 1985, the family moved to Edmond where she began her 18 year career in sales at Sysco. After retiring from Sysco, she met Lewis Coalter which brought her to Marble Falls, Texas where she pursued a lifelong dream of opening The Bookshop in 2003. They married Oct. 28, 2006.
Anyone who had the privilege to be around Dortha knew how passionate she was about her family and making sure everyone was eating good food. She taught the people around her persistence, the joy in laughter, hope, and to always have faith. From the moment she became a grandmother, she spent the rest of her life making sure to provide wonderful memories for everyone.
We love you more than birthday cake.
She is survived by her son, Dallas Litzenberger (Robin) of Tyler, Texas; daughters, Robin Shorb of Killeen, Texas and Julie Johnson (Bill) of Harker Heights, Texas; sister, Sue Hobbs of Lawrence; grandchildren, Kelsey Gotcher (Austin) of Edmond, Okla., Matt Shorb (Whitney) of San Angelo, Texas, Taylor Shorb (Taylor) of Tulsa, Okla., Mackenzie Cleveland (Chris) of Tulsa, Okla., Laura Mehl of Pflugerville, Texas, Sarah Glaeser (Jordan) of Burnet, Texas, Michael Mehl (Rachel) of Sneeds Ferry, N.C., and Madison, Zachary, and Alex Litzenberger of Tyler, Texas; seven great-grandchildren; and many close family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Lewis Coalter; father, Ferdinand; mother, Leo; brothers, Jack and Jim Feaster; grandson, John Jr. Mehl; and great grandson, Stockton Ray Shorb.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be payable to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/.
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 2, 2016**
