"Dort," as she was better known to her family and friends, was born February 5, 1930, in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin, to Arvid Erick Larson and Mildred (Graves) Larson.

After graduation from Maiden Rock High School, she attended Stout University in Menominee, Wisconsin.  Upon completion of her studies in Medical Technology she moved to Rapid City, South Dakota in 1950 to work in the laboratory of the old Black Hills General Hospital, and later at the Bennett-Clarkson Memorial Hospital and Parkside Medical Clinic, retiring in 1988.

With her husband, Don Theye, whom she married on August 5, 1953 in Rapid City, she traveled far and wide to many lands visiting their many friends.  Their favorite place was on the island of Stord, Norway, which they visited eleven times.

Dort and Don had two children, Debra, born May 30, 1954, and Michael, born September 21, 1955. She  had six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She loved her crafts and knitting, especially for her grandchildren and their toys. She also taught them piano and singing lessons when they visited.

Dort loved to sing.  She sang in church choirs, barbershop groups and whenever with a group of special friends.  She could harmonize with anyone at anytime and always had a twinkle in her eye and a wonderful smile while singing.  She particularly enjoyed listening to the music of the Gaither Vocal Band.  Every Saturday evening at 4:00PM was "Dort" time at the TV when the Gaither Gospel Hour was on.  For two years, she played coronet with the New Horizon band in Rapid City.

Weekends would find Dort and Don roaming the prairie land east of Rapid City in the Railroad Buttes area.  They spent their time searching for fossils and unusual rocks, some of which they brought home to add to their collection.  In the winters they would go to the Hills for cross-country, skiing, and enjoy the company of their friends, Glen and Cindy Johnson.

In April 2010 Dort was diagnosed with Small Cell lung cancer.  She underwent chemo therapy and radiation therapy until August 2010.  At that time, she and her family were happily told that the cancer was in remission.  She slowly recovered from the ordeal, but in time, she could no longer enjoy her daily walks with Don.  Through it all she maintained a positive attitude, always thinking of others and not herself.

Dort was very special.  She liked everyone and would never judge a living soul.  She was loved by persons young and old and blessed with many friends of all ages the world over.  She loved everybody for who they were, no matter who they were.

Survivors include her Husband Don of Rapid City, her daughter Debra Theye & her special friend Mike McLane of Rapid City, her son Michael Theye and his wife Janet (Dean) Theye of Philip; six grandchildren, Maya, Eric, Douglas, Mahalah, Jada, & Hannah; five great grandchildren, Jonas, Aiden, Kora, Juilienna & Grady.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Her funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on  Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home with the Glen Johnson officiating.

Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.