Obituary: Dorothy Jean Locke McKaig

June 7, 1923 - April 1, 2010

Dorothy Jean Locke McKaig passed away peacefully in her sleep at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center following a recent illness. Dorothy was born in Mt. Pleasant, Utah to John William Locke of Erie, Kan. and Jean Wilson Locke of Paisley, Scotland. The family moved to Reno, Nev. when she was nine. She attended Mt. Rose, McKinley Park, and Reno High School. She graduated with honors and could still recite her graduation speech for her class of 1941. She was involved with many Reno High class reunions and left the cheerleading song she wrote, still known as a Reno High Fight song. She attended the University of Nevada, was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority, Pan Hellenic, Sagens, Alpha Epsilon Delta.

Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1944 was a day that altered the lives of so many of that class who went from young college students to military cadets over night. She met Ensign Bruce Beall McKaig in her Chemistry class and they were married in Reno by Rev Case at the Federated Church Feb. 8, 1944. Following the ceremony they were stationed at Whidbey Island, Wash. for flight training. Bruce was a co-pilot of bomber squadron 151 #13 Pv1 in the Pacific action. Like many war brides she raised her daughter Kathy alone those first few years. Stress was high and waiting for word about Tinian, Saipan, and Iwo Jima. Bruce's squadron lost all but 5 of the 18 planes. Dorothy was very proud of the sacrifices her generation made to protect our countries freedoms.

Dorothy resided in her home on Hunter Lake Dr. in Reno for 62 years. She worked for the family owned Hales Drug Stores and for her husband's Farmer's Insurance office until his retirement. She loved to garden, hunt, fish, historical research, read, and travel. She was active in St. John Presbyterian Church, Hillside Foursquare Church of Reno, and Fountainhead Foursquare Church of Carson City. She will be missed by her family, son Brian McKaig; Mrs. Laurie McKaig Sonderegger of Carson City, and Kathy McKaig Hoppert of Cave Junction, Ore. She was preceded in death by her infant daughter Diane 1948, her husband Bruce in 1988, her brothers Dr. Robert Locke, William Locke and her grandson Beau McKaig. She will be missed by grandchildren Dr. Justin Sonderegger, Kristen Sonderegger, Kerry Gruber, Shellie Kepley, Brad McKaig, Bryce McKaig, and eight great-grandchildren.

Dorothy will be laid to rest next to her husband at a private family ceremony Tuesday. A Christian Celebration of Life will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Fountainhead Church 3690 Hwy 395, Carson City by Pastor Louie Locke. A reception at the church will follow the service. Autumn Funerals is in charge of final arrangements. Flowers, cards or donations to the McKaig Scholarship Fund may be sent to the church. The family would like to express our gratefulness to all those who have been so kind to our beloved mother and thank you for all the prayers. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.