Dorothy Stowell Ashcraft, 86, of Sugar City, Idaho, passed away on September 14, 2021, in Rexburg, Idaho, surrounded by loved ones. She was born February 23, 1935, in Pocatello, Idaho. Her parents were Grant L. and Wanda Jensen Stowell. She attended schools in Pocatello, including Emerson Grade School, Irving Jr. High and graduated from Pocatello High School in 1953.

As a young girl, Dorothy worked with her brothers and sisters at the Checkerboard Root Beer Stand which their father started for the children to earn their own spending money. It was a popular place for young and old and sold a mug of root beer for 5 cents, a float for 10 cents, hamburgers for 25 cents and hot dogs for 20 cents. They made many friends through those years.

She attended Idaho State College which is now ISU, for two years. She went to BYU Provo where she met and married her husband, Grant Ashcraft, in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 11, 1957. They both graduated from BYU.

They had nine children, 6 boys and 3 girls: Sid (Jana), Hamer, ID: Brent (Teri), Rexburg, ID: Ellen White (Don), Terreton, ID: Debra Ashcraft, Sugar City, ID: Ryan (Cosette), Hamer, ID: Dale (Tammi), Santaquin, UT: Amy Eckman (Chance), St. Anthony, ID: Ben Ashcraft, Hurricane, UT: Ivan (Stephanie), Salem, UT.

When her youngest child, Ivan, began school, she began teaching at Sugar-Salem Elementary where she taught First and Second grades for 16 years. She loved every minute of teaching and said it was the next best to having her own family.

Dorothy loved music and was a very good pianist and organist. She taught piano lessons to many of her family and friends. She was a Ward and Temple Organist for many years. She also loved to write music, and wrote over 100 songs.

She was a member of the Utah Daughters of the Pioneers and wrote an award winning song for them. She enjoyed crocheting, painting, puzzles, Cryptograms, and getting together with friends each week to play Scrabble.

She belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints and held several positions in various organizations in Stake and Ward. She served with her husband, Grant, in the Idaho Falls and Rexburg Temple for a total of 12 years.

Dorothy had a great passion for seeking out and embracing the good things in life. Many lives were touched by her sincere love and caring. She truly made the world a better place for all who knew her!

They have 9 children, 43 grandchildren, and 65 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, David Stowell, sister, Ruth Chandler, and three brothers in law, Sam Chandler, Fred Wahlquist and Lynn Owens.

She is survived by her husband, Grant Ashcraft, brothers Lynn Stowell (Bonnie) and Dennis Stowell (Annette), sisters Helen Walquist and Rae Ann Owens, and all nine of her children, 43 grandchildren and 65 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will start at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 18, located at the Sugar City Stake Center. Family will receive friends from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Friday, September 17 and from 1:00-1:45 p.m. Saturday, September 18, both times at the Sugar City Stake Center.

We would like to thank Carriage Cove for the Superb Service she received there.

Celebration of life may be viewed at: https://zoom.us/j/98069419720?pwd=eFlkUGV2T3ZwMHV5TXdQcDVYWjJOZz09

Services will be streamed at: https://byui.zoom.us/j/4018207048