Dorothy Helen (Moore) McRae, 85, Hays, died Thursday, January 20, 2022 at her home.
Born March 26, 1936 to Andrew Alexander Moore and Anna Margaret (Senger) Moore in Studley, Kansas, Dorothy was the fifth of eight Moore children who spent their childhood in Studley. She attended primary grades in a two-room schoolhouse in Studley, and then received her secondary education at Hoxie High School in Hoxie, Kansas. She met Paul McRae while in high school and they married in 1954.
Dorothy worked at Hill City Hospital while Paul was in the Army, and then moved to Colorado Springs to be closer to Fort Carson where Paul was stationed. Pamela Jean was born there.
After Paul’s military service, the young family moved to Manhattan, Kansas where Dorothy worked at Riley County Hospital, supporting Paul’s education in veterinary medicine. Susan Lynne and Debra Jo were both born in Manhattan.
The family moved to Hays, Kansas in 1961, and Paula Beth and Michael Alan were both born soon thereafter. Dorothy raised five children, all of whom were educated in Hays public schools.
In 1961, Dorothy joined the Ellis County Extension and remained an active member for 56 years. She was instrumental in establishing the Gemini Juniors 4-H Club and taught many young seamstresses through the club. She served as Club Leader, Project Leader, checked in Open Class Photography and provided security in the Schenk Building during the Ellis County Fair.
Dorothy groomed dogs at the Hays Veterinary Clinic until the family moved to the country in 1972. She then set up her own dog grooming business and began breeding Norwegian Elkhounds. She introduced the first of this breed to the area.
Dorothy became a member of the Buckeye Ladies Club in 1972, and was part of the BQ PEO for over 40 years.
In 1978, with husband Dr. Paul McRae, she helped pioneer Bovine Embryo Transfer. They often traveled in their private airplane to farms in Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, and Arkansas. They flushed embryos from fertilized cattle, selected viable eggs, and finally placed those eggs in recipient cows. They were the first to introduce this process in much of the U.S. and, after working out many kinks, were very successful over the next 10 years.
Dorothy moved back to Hays, bought a house and lived there over 25 years. While Paul and Dorothy were officially divorced, they remained friends throughout the remainder of her life, frequently celebrating family holidays or traveling for family visits together.
In the 90’s a group of California activists dumped a trailer full of doggie biscuits on the steps of the Capital in Topeka, Kansas, disputing conditions in the Kansas ‘Puppy Mills’. In response, new positions title “Facility Inspector for Kansas Animal Health Department” were formed and Dorothy became one of the first. She tirelessly dedicated her life to this important work from 1991 to 2003. A fellow inspector noted that Dorothy had saved literally thousands of animal lives during her tenure.
After retiring, Dorothy continued her passion for animals and for service as a Board Member to the Hays Humane Society. Dorothy was a lifelong First United Methodist Church member, always helping as needed. She made phone calls for Prayers, became a Funeral Dinner Director, and yearly she helped with the Peddler’s Fair – an organization that dedicated all proceeds to help multiple area non-profit organizations.
She served on the election board and helped oversee each election in Hays for 48 years. Dorothy was a lifetime member of the VFW.
Dorothy McRae was preceded in death by her parents and sisters and brothers, Hazel Moore, Stella Clark, Della Stramel, Glen Moore, and Wilber Moore. Those still here to celebrate her life include her sister, Donna Morgenstern, her brother Bill Moore, her daughters, Pamela Livingston, Susan McRae Bickle (Tim Bickle), Debra May (Tim May), and Paula Carlson (Trent Carlson), and by her son, Michael McRae (Tanya). Nineteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren are proud to have called her Grandma or “GMa Dot”.
A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at Hays First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Craig Hauschild officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Allen Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to Hays First United Methodist Church, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Condolences and memories of Dorothy may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com