Dorothy Milne Smith Kotter

Dorothy Milne Smith Kotter, age 88, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and friend, passed away on Sunday, December 8th, 2024, after a lifetime of devoted family love, adventurous trips, and service to others. Her passing was 113 years to the date of her father’s birthdate.

Dorothy was born November 1st, 1936, in Saint George, UT. the middle child in a family of three children to Arvel Robert and Miriam Bentley Milne. Her family moved to Salt Lake City 3 years later where she spent the majority of her life. She attended Garfield Elementary, Irving Jr. High and East high School. She then went on to graduate from the University of Utah with a degree in Elementary Education.

On May 2nd, 1957, she married Ralph (Sonny) Smith in the Salt Lake City Temple. Together they had four children. She spent most of the early years raising her children and creating a loving and happy home. For a brief period, she taught 3rd grade, operated her own pre-school and spent many years substituting. They were married for 24 years and were later divorced. She was married to Phil E. Kotter in the Jordan River Temple on September 15th, 1984. He brought into the marriage three sons. They enjoyed over twenty-nine years of rich companionship together. Phil became her wonderful sweetheart, accomplished dance partner, tennis partner, and missionary companion as they served as full time missionaries in the Queensland, Australia Mission, as well as Service Missionaries at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Dorothy held numerous church callings throughout her life that magnified her love for the Savior and the true power of prayer. She enjoyed working with the Young Women’s program, Primary, and Relief Society.

Her hobbies included music (she was an avid organ player), gardening, art, reading, knitting, crocheting, dancing, tennis, traveling, and just enjoying the beauties of the earth. She was filled with awe each spring as the new flowers sprang forth, as well as the fall when the leaves turned into such glorious colors.

The legacy that she leaves behind is that her family continues her works in maintaining loving family relationships that will last here on earth as well as carry over to the eternities beyond.

Survived by her sister Marilyn (Al) Ebert, sister-in-law Connie Milne, daughter Deborah (Gerald) Frustaci, son Michael (Amanda) Smith, daughters Lisa (James) Raines, Tamara (Alex) Wilson, and son Scott Kotter. Thirty-one grandchildren, fifty-nine great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren. Lastly, her loving puppy, Winston. Preceded in death by her parents, husband Phil, brother LeRoy, children Kenneth and Steven Kotter.

A viewing will be held Monday, December 16th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 17th, at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Greenfield Ward Chapel, 6350 South Rodeo Lane (1540 East) Salt Lake City, with a viewing prior to services starting at 10;00 a.m. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn. A special thank you for the loving care provided by the team at the G3 Unit at Intermountain Medical Center.

To attend the service virtually, please click on the "Watch Services" button at the top of this page, or by clicking on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83331455010