Dolores Mae Dettling (Dee) left us to meet her high school sweetheart in heaven on July 3, 2025. Dee was born in Yakima, Washington, on August 8, 1945, to Helen and Ray Heilman. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Nick and Jim Heilman, and her husband. Dee married her high school sweetheart, Lee, in August of 1963. She had two sons, John (Taska) and Steve (Lisa). Dee had 5 granddaughters, and 7 great-grandchildren. Dee was a loving mother, grandma, and friend. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, baking, and the Christmas holiday.

Dee's life can best be summarized by three words: Family, Fun, and Faithful.

Family: Dee was devoted to her family. She was born and raised in Yakima, Washington, by her parents. Soon, her brothers Nick and Jim joined the family. She loved being the "big" sister.  In high school, Dee met the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with. Dee married Lee on August 24, 1963, and built a loving family with him. They had two sons together, John and Steven (Steve). She was both a mother and a father figure during the early years of her son's life while Lee worked long hours away from home to provide for the family. She was thrilled when her sons married and graced her with grandchildren. They gave her so much joy in her life. She loved taking them shopping and to lunch at the Olive Garden! She was a patient, loving, generous grandmother to her granddaughters and made each of them feel very special. She was thrilled when her granddaughters gave her great-grandchildren.

Fun: Dee enjoyed having fun with family and close friends. Dee loved the beach. The family would go camping with family and friends in Long Beach, Washington, when the boys were younger. As the boys got older, Dee and Lee would get away together to their favorite hotel in Cannon Beach, Oregon. Dee took several trips with her husband and their friends to places like Hawaii, Mexico, and Germany. She enjoyed decorating her house for the holidays. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, as she loved to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Dee looked forward to going to bazaars, shopping, baking, and extensively decorating her house for the Christmas holiday. She always had a shirt or sweater to wear that matched the holiday. She loved having family and friends over for barbecues. She enjoyed making homemade potato and macaroni salads to accompany the hamburgers Lee barbecued. Dee had a one-of-a-kind laugh that was contagious, prompting others to laugh as well. Her family remembers her beautiful smile and the way she loved to banter around with them. She enjoyed reciprocating when others joked around with her.

Faithful: Dee was dedicated to her family, friends, and Catholic Faith. She attended Catholic School in Yakima, Washington, and instilled the Catholic Faith in her boys. She was a member of the Saint Joseph Catholic parish before moving to the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Dee attended marriage retreats with her husband to strengthen their relationship, deepen their faith, and get to know other couples. Dee attended weekly church services until her health prevented her from participating in person at church services and functions. Dee was able to receive prayer and communion provided by the church at her residence.

Dee was loved dearly by her family and will be missed.

Funeral Services will be held at Holy Redeemer Church at 11:00 am on August 21, 2025.