Dorothea M. Batts

On March 6, 2026, we said goodbye to Dorothea M. Batts, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Born July 4, 1928 to William and Maude Kennettle, Dorothea was born at home, on the family farm near Fairfax, Manitoba, Canada. The youngest of six children, Dorothea’s father was 66 when she was born. He was very proud of his beautiful little daughter.

After the death of her father when she was ten, Dorothea and her mother left the farm and moved to “the city,” nearby Brandon, Manitoba. Brandon was where Dorothea grew up, finished school and worked at Doig’s Department Store, where she was also a hat model. It was in Brandon that Dorothea met her future husband, John W. Batts. A handsome young man from Illinois in the oil business, John swept Dorothea off of her feet and they married in March of 1951.

During the oil boom of the early 1950’s, John and Dorothea lived in Nebraska and several towns in Montana before settling in Billings. Dorothea remembered those early years fondly; she and John made friendships that lasted their lifetimes.

Dorothea took pride in her home, decorating it beautifully. Her rose garden bloomed every summer and she faithfully looked for robins in the spring. She was a wonderful cook; many of her recipes are immortalized in the Batts Family Cookbook, compiled by her daughter Barbara.

Shortly after they moved into Highgate Senior Living in Billings, Dorothea lost John, her beloved husband of 68 years. With a great deal of courage, Dorothea continued to live her life at Highgate. Living alone for the first time, Dorothea made the most of this new situation, allowing herself to bloom and enjoy life. She walked in the surrounding neighborhood with new friends, played bingo, and proved herself to be a whiz at Jeopardy! Dorothea always had a wonderful sense of humor, and enjoyed the fun and laughter she shared with her new friends. Dorothea’s morning always started with the daily crossword puzzle. “Doing the puzzle,” was a favorite pastime.

Dorothea loved Montana. Her apartment at Highgate afforded her a wonderful view of the Rims, the Beartooth Mountains, and a quaking aspen tree right outside her window. She loved her “room with a view” and the comfort and grounding it provided.

Dorothea is survived by her children Margo Aldrich (Charles Long), Barbara Kephart and John Batts Jr., grandchildren Thomas Aldrich, Andrew Schmidt, Kara Schmidt, and Jacob Batts. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters Adeline, Grace, and Myrtle, brothers Charles and Jack, and special nephew Brian Watts.

Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Highgate Senior Living, TenderNest Assisted Living, and Compassus Hospice for loving our mother and supporting her in every possible way. She always said, “I know I’m in the right place. I have everything I need.”

Goodbye Mom and Grandma, we miss you.