Dee Drollinger, \"eighty-seven and headin\ to heaven,\" has joined the growing number of his siblings on the \"other side.\" Coming tenth in the brood of thirteen offspring of Allan and Nancy Drollinger, (only Velma Dart and Pearl Workman remain), \"Dee Dee Boy\" grew up poor but mischievous in little Ioka, Utah in the Uinta Basin. He was, from childhood on, a card, an imp, and a caution. He never encountered a story he couldn\t embellish, a joke he couldn\t remember, or a prank he wasn\t willing to pull. When Dee left the farm the day after graduating from Roosevelt High with ten dollars in his pocket and a cardboard suitcase in his hand, a goodly number of Basineers breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Dee enlisted in the Navy, spending more time in the brig than on the bridge. After his discharge, he traveled to Salt Lake City, reconnecting with an attractive former classmate, Gwen Stone. He pursued her---she eventually agreed to be caught. Why? Because, of course, he made her laugh. They married on February 17, 1951. Dee now concentrated on supporting his growing family, raising four children: LaMar (Debbie), Lynn (Teri), DeeAnn (Kent) Hansen, and DanaLee (Mark) Knaras, thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Life was always lively with Dee around. You didn\t have to be quick-footed as much as quick-witted. He didn\t suffer fools lightly. Fools he teased. But---Dee always entertained those around him---that was his greatest gift. With Dee around it was easy to laugh, and feel better at the end of the day than when you had started. He was generous as well. If he knew someone needed help he was quick to respond. His giving was anonymous, with no self-promotion.
When you think about Dee, you do so with a smile. So keep that smile, and join us for a celebration of that one of a kind, not soon to be forgotten, burr under the blanket of convention, Dee Dee Boy Drollinger. If you can master your own fear of standing out, wear mismatched socks, and/or a crazy hat. Dee always did. We will meet at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m., on Friday, April 17th. Don\t send flowers, but please make a donation to any worthy cause in Dee\s memory. He\d like that.
Special thanks to Vicki of Reliance Health Care, and Rosemary of Adagio Hospice Care for their compassionate and professional attention to Dee\s every need. He loved all his health care workers, but especially you two.
See you on the 17th!
