Dorothy Ruth Benthin Sommerville July 27, 1923-June 27, 2012

Dorothy Ruth Benthin Sommerville passed away the evening of June 27, 2012, succumbing to
cancer. Daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Benthin, Dorothy was born July 27, 1923, at Webster, South Dakota. She grew up in Hayti and Pierre, and graduated from Hayti High School in
1941, as valedictorian of her class. She graduated from South Dakota State University (Brookings)
with the class of 1945, and thenmoved toBurbank, CA, and later to Honolulu, HI, for a short time.
In 1952 she was married to Robert Sommerville, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sommerville of
Pasadena, CA, and in a few years the couple moved to La Canada, CA, where she resided until her
death. A lifelong piano teacher, she was actively involved in the Music Teachers Association of California and the La Canada Congregational Church. She volunteered at Descanso Gardens and the Visiting Nurses Association in Glendale. She is survived by her husband and by daughter Jean (David) of La Canada, son Jim (Amy) of San Diego, beloved granddaughter Jessica (also of LaCanada) and brother Owen Benthin of Bakersfield. She was predeceased by her sister Marian Benthin McMillin. Services will be held at the La Canada Congregational Church (formerly Church of the Lighted Window) on July 21 at 2:00 pm.