Dolores Soto Werder, 82, Valley Falls, died Saturday, March 17, 2018, at her home.

She was born and raised at Greenleaf, KS, the daughter of Albert  and Mae Hansen.

She graduated from Barnes High School, and then earned a B.A. Degree from Washburn University and a Master’s Degree in Child Development from the University of Kansas. Dolores worked at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka for more than 20 years. At Valley Falls she owned the Pretense-Pastense Antique Shop.

Dolores was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Valley Falls. She was a founding member of the Jefferson County Humane Society. She was on the Board of Directors, served as treasurer, and from its inception, tirelessly cared for cats and dogs. She was also  a member of the Valley Falls Historical Society, the Kansas Anthropological Association, and she volunteered at the USD 338 After School Program.

Following her first marriage to Jorge Soto, she moved to Puerto Rico, where her two daughters, Debra and Pamela, were born. Dolores became fluent in Spanish while living there. After her divorce to Jorge, she returned to Topeka where she married Francis Werder, May 2, 1973.   

Dolores is survived by her husband of 44 years, Francis (Frank) Werder; two daughters, Debra Soto, Kailua, HI, and Pamela (Charles) Soto-Kerans, Austin, TX; three stepchildren, Donna (Doug) Brewer, Tulsa, OK, Dr. Steven (Linda) Werder, Phoenix, AZ, and Judy Bordeau, Leawood; a brother, Paul Hansen, Greenleaf; four sisters, Corrine Hansen, Greenleaf, Margy Toler, Seattle, WA, and Reeva Anderson and Marilyn Deckinger, both of Wichita; eight grandchildren, Shona, Peter, Graham, Nicholas, Ted, Johnny, Allison and Audrey; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Norman Hansen.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at a later date. Inurnment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery at Valley Falls.
 
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Jefferson County Humane Society or to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and sent c/o Mercer Funeral Home, PO Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088. Online condolences are welcome at www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.