Dorothy Jane Schwab

Published 12:54 am Tuesday, September 13, 2016

December 12, 1917 – September 4, 2016

Dorothy Jane Schwab, loving wife, mother and grandmother passed away on Sunday, September 4 in Bend, Oregon at the age of 98.

Dorothy was born in Walla Walla, Washington on December 12, 1917 to John and Daisy Harlan. Her family moved to Bend, Oregon in 1934, and she graduated from Bend High School in 1936.

Dorothy was married to her high school sweetheart, Leslie Schwab, on July 29, 1936 at her family home on Newport Avenue in Bend. Dorothy and Les had a son, Harlan, born July 23, 1940. Shortly thereafter Les joined the Air Cadets, and Dorothy followed him to Texas and Louisiana. Dorothy spent her young married life often living in shared housing, exchanging cleaning service for rent.

Dorothy and Les returned to Bend in 1945. On June 30, 1952 her daughter Margie was born. That same year, the family moved to Prineville, Oregon where they purchased a small OK Rubber Welders shop, which would later go on to become Les Schwab Tire Centers.

Dorothy was a key part of building the Les Schwab Company as Les’ most trusted business partner, confidant and sounding board. Outside of the Company, Dorothy and Les enjoyed traveling, cruises, playing gin rummy and cribbage daily and spending winters at their home in Palm Springs.

Dorothy enjoyed participating in Bridge Club and Gigi’s Group, as well as watching movies. She was an avid reader and a keen follower of the stock market. Dorothy is best remembered for her thoughtfulness and her gracious willingness to make herself available and listen with full attention to the concerns and curiosities of others, especially her grandchildren.

Dorothy is survived by grandchildren Leslie and Dean Tuftin, Julie and Brad Waibel, Alan Schwab, Diana and Matt Tomseth, daughter-in-law Jean Gale, son-in-law Denny Denton, 11 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 70 years.

At Dorothy’s request, her family is planning a private graveside service in Prineville. Dorothy’s family asks that cards and condolences be sent to Les Schwab Headquarters, P.O. Box 5350, Bend OR 97708. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Dorothy Schwab Memorial Fund at the Oregon Community Foundation, 1221 SW Yamhill Street, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97205.