Dorothy (Dottye) Agnes Cecelia Gierse Erbs was born 4/29/1930 to Theodore Joseph Gierse (1885-1965) and Clara Bertha Meyer Gierse (1891-1982), in St. Louis, Missouri, their only daughter and oldest of three children.
She was preceded in death by her parents and youngest brother, Robert and her daughter in law, Denice. Dottye attended St. Francis de Sales grade school during which time she became penpals at age 10 years with Irene Prudhomme, from Boston, Massachusetts. For more than 85 years, their friendship has endured and she treasured meeting Sister Irene in person some 40 plus years ago and beyond letters throughout the years, they more recently continued with calls and texts on a daily basis.
She graduated from St. Francis de Sales high school in 1948 ahead of starting nursing school at St. Louis University, and after two years there met her love and soulmate, Louis Alvin (Al) Erbs (1923-2007). They were married on October 6, 1951 and together had 5 children, Mary Anne (Jay Jackson), Gerard Joseph (Denice), Susan Marie (Wendell Payne), Daniel Arthur, and Patricia Allyson (Peter Violas). She restarted her nursing education in 1967, graduating as an RN and practicing at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kirkwood for more than 37 years. Known as the “IV Queen”, her nursing friends were a foundation of her life for that time and she continued to look forward to the monthly retired nurses social activities. Together for 56 years, Dottye and Al traveled the world on assorted adventures on land and sea. Their marriage was one filled with laughter, and mutual admiration and respect, sealed in their dedication to their Catholic faith and devotion to family and the St. Louis Cardinals. Dottye’s loves included her friends, family, good food and drink (chardonnay, steak and oysters), her crocheting (she made quilts for every grandchild, and countless numbers of baby blankets for friends and friends of friends). She did crossword puzzles every day (in pen) and loved to cook and try new recipes, and watch old movies especially the classic musicals and newer Hallmark movies. Most of all, she loved her children, 8 grandchildren (Lindsay (Adam), Nicholas (Casey), Matthew and Katie, Brittany (Adam) and Alex (Tina), Tony, and Allysa, and 6 great grandchildren- Poppy, Brady, Gotham, Gunner, Marcus and Eliza. She is survived by her brother, Ted (Connie) and cousins, nieces, and nephews. For 95 years, she lived independently with an unwavering joyful spirit that was known to all who loved her dearly and who will miss her mightily.
Services: Funeral from Kutis Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois, Monday November 24th. 9:00 AM to St Catherine Laboure Catholic Church for 9:30 AM mass. Interment JB National Cemetery. Visitation Sunday 4:00-8:00 PM.