Dorothy Helen (Bolte) Uptonwas born on Feb. 12, 1942, to Wallace and Helen (Whitlock) Bolte in Beaver Crossing on the southeast corner of town by the Water Gardens. Dorothy was the youngest of three children and the only daughter. Dorothy passed away after a long battle with dementia on Sept. 7, 2026, at the age of 84 years, 6 months, and 26 days.
Dorothy had lived in Beaver Crossing all but one year of her life. She attended the Beaver Crossing High School until 1958 when she married an Air Force man named Marvin Owen Lilly from West Virginia. To that marriage, three children were born - -Douglas, Debra, and Todd. In May of 1964, she met a man named Arlan Robert Upton that was working on an asphalt crew putting down pavement outside of town. Arlan was renting a boarding room from Dorothy’s parents during his stay while working in Beaver Crossing. By the end of the year, she realized Arlan was the love of her life. They both divorced their respective spouses and got married to each other on Dec. 26, 1965.
In 1968 there was a fourth child born named Marty. Dorothy was a stay-at-home mom for most of her child-rearing years, but she did sell Sarah Coventry jewelry part time. Around 1984, she took a job at Houchin’s Bindery in Utica. After a few years there, she took a job at Pizza Hut in Seward as a dough master. She had been making cinnamon rolls all her life at home, so she thought it’d be a good fit. In 1998, she got a job at Ameristar as a change person. After a few years she took a “NEW” position as the “Hot-Dog” lady and sold Nathan hot dogs on the lower level at Ameristar. She really enjoyed working there.
As a Hot-Dog lady, Dorothy never had to share her tips. She would pay attention to what slot machines were paying out; then she’d tell her customers which ones to play. After they won, they in turn would tip her for the information. It was a win-win for everyone. She drove 93 miles one way five days a week and never missed a day - -even when it snowed.
Before this job, she rarely tipped. Dorothy thought it was their boss’s job to pay accordingly. Dorothy started tipping so much she even tipped the maid in Las Vegas while vacationing there for a NASCAR Race. Dale Earnhardt was her favorite driver, and she took his death hard. NASCAR was never the same for her after his death. In 2003, she was named “Team Member of the Month” at Ameristar, and her son Todd escorted her to the dinner and festivities. She was super proud of that award that came with an engraved plaque. Dorothy retired in 2006.
She took up volunteering at the United Methodist Church, running the Food Pantry to give to people in need. When the UMC had a funeral, Dorothy & Arlan volunteered to get the deli meat and vegetable trays. Dorothy would call the ladies of the UMC and line up all the salads and desserts they would need for the funeral at the UMC. Dorothy was also on cemetery board for years and got volunteers to mow the Beaver Crossing Cemetery. Their record was 19 mowers at once, (five of which were her husband, son, daughter, and two grandchildren); and they mowed the cemetery in 90 minutes.
She also worked for the Beaver Life paper. Dorothy also joined the Kensington Club and played 13-point pitch card games with the ladies in Beaver Crossing. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Dorothy enjoyed making cinnamon rolls and cooking in general. Family dinners were a favorite time for her especially Christmas dinners — her favorite holiday!
Dorothy is survived by her four children, her oldest son, Doug and wife Donna Upton in Beaver Crossing, daughter, Debra Upton in Beaver Crossing, who had been her 24/7 caregiver since June 19, son, Todd and wife Cheri Upton in Lincoln, and her youngest son, Marty and wife Kristen in Lincoln. Dorothy is also survived by seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Arlan Robert Upton; parents, Wallace and Helen Bolte; brothers and their wives Donald and Mary Bolte, Marvin and Sharon Bolte; grandson, Wallace Robert Angel; mother-in-law, Grace Bethene Upton; father-in-law, James Upton; brothers-in-law, Gerald Upton, William Wondercheck and Marvin Brader; nephew, Doug Brader; and niece, Lori (Upton) Nordmeyer.
Visitation will be 4 – 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at the United Methodist Church in Beaver Crossing with family greeting friends from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The funeral service: will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the United Methodist Church, Beaver Crossing. A graveside service be at the Beaver Crossing Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the family for a future designation.
Arrangements by Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services of Friend.
