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- Dorothy's Mother died giving birth to Dorothy. Within72 hours,
Julianna Elizabeth LEY was adopted by Huldah and Herman Dettlaff, farmers located across the prairie field from the Ley's farm. Dorothy's adopted parents recognized her birthday as her adoption date, which was November 02, 1910; also renamed her Dorothy Margaret.
Notes from Wesley Ley, 2005; At the time of Julianna's birth, a local "midwife" by the name of Mrs. Mulgrove attended the birthing and cared for Julianna after her Mothers death. When word reached England of George Henry Ley's woes, in the loss of his wife, George's brother Robert and wife Lucy journeyed to AB, Canada to help look after the baby. By this time, of course, the formal adoption had gone thru with the Dettlaffs being the adopted parents and Julianna's name changed to Dorothy Margaret. This was quite a disappointment to Robert & Lucy Ley.
Her adopted parents Notes
Huldah A. Barteaux (dtr. of Mrs Watson Barteaux Sept 20,1842 - Feb 1927 ) was born August 17, 1870 in Nova Scotia, died Sept. 27,1962 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Buried Sept. 29, 1962 in Coronation Cemetery, AB, Canada.
Herman F. Dettlaff Nov 14, 1872 - Jan 24, 1935. Buried in Coronation Cemetery, AB., Canada
Gwendolyn Kate (Burt) LEY-{Julianna Elizabeth Ley's or Dorothy Margaret DETTLAFF mother} died during her childbirth thus her father Mr. George Ley couldn't raise his family of 2 other children - Sid and Janet in addition to his latest little one.
Mr. and Mrs. Dettlaff lived across the prairie field from the Leys and the Dettlaffs had expressed great interest in having children. As the Dettlaffs were married later in life it was decided to adopt and when the news came of the Leys' situation Mrs. Huldah Dettlaff drove immediately to the homeplace and asked to adopt the baby. Thus Dorothy calls Mr. and Mrs. Dettlaff her parents and it was understood and enforced that she would not visit or see her family on social outings. Dorothy's natural parents' homestead could be seen from the back porch of the Dettlaff homestead and she would often gaze in that direction.
The Dettlaffs raised Dorothy and spoiled her easily in that she was an only child. Her adopted mother used her seamstress skills and teaching knowledge in keeping Dorothy clothed in the latest styles and wonderful fabrics of the day. Dorothy was also driven weekly to town for piano lessons - music playing a major part of her life. Her adopted parents continued to battle the prairie conditions in making a livelihood in mixed farming. Dorothy played for dances during her teen years.
Dorothy was not going with anyone in 1933; friends of hers Bertha and Gus Stein from Throne AB decided to drive over to Bulwark and picnic with other friend's "Millers". It was on this afternoon that Dorothy and Omar met as Omar was also visiting the Millers. The following Sunday Dorothy and Omar attended the Stampede at Nose Hill and the romance was on.
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