Dorene Elaine Dodson

Dorene “Dori” Elaine Dodson, 36, of Topeka, KS, passed away Thursday, September 4th, 2025 in her home surrounded by family.

She was born November 5th, 1988, in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of James and Mary (Wege) Dodson. She attended Carbondale Attendance Center from kindergarten to 8th grade. She went to Santa Fe Trail High School as a freshman and sophomore, and later Topeka West High School as a junior and senior, graduating in 2007. Dori was a phenomenal softball pitcher and lead the city of Topeka in strike-outs during the two years she attended TWHS. She also held a high-hitting record and made the “All-City” girls’ softball team.

Following high school, Dori was recruited by Allen County Community College in Iola, KS with several scholarships for her studies and to play softball. She then transferred to Allen County Community College in Burlingame, KS. Dori continued to follow her softball dreams and further her education at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, KS; followed by Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS. Eventually, Dori decided to hang up her ball and glove and attend Washburn University in Topeka, KS. In 2012, she graduated with an Associate of Science degree, as an Occupational Therapy Assistant the first year Washburn offered this program. In 2015, Dori graduated Summa Kum Laude with her Bachelor of Science degree in healthcare administration.

Dori proudly worked at several local nursing homes as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), her favorite being Rossville Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She was a hard-worker and absolutely adored her patients and coworkers.

Dori was extremely passionate about her love of the Lord, her family, and friends. She enjoyed going to garage sales, growing tomatoes and flowers, karaoke, line-dancing, swimming and spending time with her friends and family. She is well known for her obsession of her cats (we won’t name them all). She was always constantly doing something or helping someone. In 2023 Dori wrote Blessed Beyond Belief, an autobiography about her journey while living with a brain tumor. She is a true warrior. She will be missed deeply by countless family and friends. Dori never met a cat she didn’t love. The next time you see a friendly feline, give them a pat or psp psp from Dori.

Dori is survived by her mother, Mary Dodson, and her sister, Kathleen “Katie” Dodson of Topeka, KS; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends. She is preceded in death by her father James Dodson, paternal grandparents Lee and Kathleen (O’Brien) Dodson, maternal grandparents Orville and Dorene (Abitz) Wege.

A Funeral Service to honor the beautiful life of Dori will take place at 10:00am Thursday, September 11, 2025 at Wanamaker Woods Nazarene Church, 3501 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66614. A gathering of friends and family will take place the evening before from 6:00pm to 8:00pm Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home. Dorene will be laid to rest at the Carbondale Cemetery following her service.

To make a monetary donation in Dori's name, the family asks that you consider the following foundations that are near to them:

Make checks payable to: Brain Tumor Cancer Research (memo line: Dorene Dodson) 200 1st Stree SW Rochester, MN 55905

Or

Helping Hands Humane Society 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604