05/06/2026
Dorothy Ruth Rupp Reese Martin Hatch
Dorothy Ruth Rupp Reese Martin Hatch was born August 31, 1929 in Pocatello, Idaho at Lynn Brothers Hospital to Harold Clyde Rupp and Lula Butt. She was the last child born and joined her siblings Harold Lavelle Rupp, Donald Clyde Rupp and Louisa Mae Rupp. Her father passed away when she was 5, leaving the family without their father. They were a very close-knit family and completely enjoyed being with one another. They were a family of singers and singing drew them together. Life was very hard during the Depression, but she always praised her mother and her family for making life fun and enjoyable. She would say they were poor in finances, but very rich in love.
She married Thomas A. Reese on October 10, 1945 in Pocatello. They were excited to have Thomas Harold join them on September 29, 1946, thrilled once again to have Timothy Edward join on March 26, 1949 and their only daughter Tammy Marie on July 18, 1957. The family spent many times camping, fishing and hunting. Tommy was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes not long after they were married and Mom spent many hours caring for his needs. Tragically, Tommy was killed in a head-on car collision on September 4, 1960 in Clark County, Nevada, leaving Dorothy a widow with 3 young children. She faced this challenge with courage and strength, following in her mother’s footsteps.
Dorothy had a charismatic, positive personality that others were drawn to. While attending a party given by her niece, she gained the attention of Rose B. Martin, who was there playing music. Mom joined her amazing voice with his, becoming a powerhouse duo. They quickly fell in love and were married on June 17, 1961. Into this new union, R.B. brought his beautiful daughter Cindy Mae Martin and sweet son Douglas William Martin. Onlookers always thought Mom and Dad had triplets because Cindy, Tammy and Doug were so close in age.
Dorothy hadn’t been feeling well and while visiting the doctor, she was informed she was expecting a baby. This news came as a complete shock. You see, following Tammy’s birth, Dorothy was supposedly unable to have more children, but God had other plans. On November 9, 1964, Rose Janine, a round, beautiful, blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl, completed Dorothy and R.B.’s family and brought great joy to the whole family. Her siblings would not put her down and loved spoiling her. She was always considered a miracle girl because of her miraculous beginnings.
Once again, the family enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and extended family time spent together. While riding in the car, Mom and Dad would have sing-alongs and we were taught to harmonize. Music was an integral part of family life and had been ingrained in Dorothy and R.B.’s families. We would gather together with guitars and loved the sound of blending music and voices, especially around the campfire. Dorothy loved all her family with a deep love and felt especially blessed to have been a part of the Rupp, Butt, Reese, Martin and Hatch families. Her most cherished memories are with family. She welcomed each new family member, by marriage, by birth or even the lost ones who stayed for a short time. Love was freely given while attending to temporal and physical needs.
R.B. and Dorothy had many adventures together. They moved from Pocatello to Phoenix and managed an apartment complex, spending time with Tommy and his family. From there they moved to Magna, Utah, managing the Sunset Villa Mobile Home Park, making amazing friends that Tammy and Kelly would meet later in their move to Magna. After leaving Magna, they migrated to Boise, Idaho, managing the Maple Grove Estates. They lived near Cindy and Tommy and were blessed to spend time with grandchildren in Boise. They once again picked up roots and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, fulfilling a lifelong dream to share R.B.’s music. They loved the time they spent in Nashville and made friends easily; however, they found the music industry very difficult to integrate into. Then on July 14, 1989—a devastating day—the family received the news that their beloved Rose had passed away unexpectedly, and they once again picked up roots and moved back to their beloved Pocatello.
Dorothy was a natural-born caretaker. She cared for Tommy during his illnesses. She helped her daughter Rose navigate Type 1 diabetes as a child. She cared for her mother when she was unable to care for herself. She and R.B. lovingly cared for Louisa until her death 9 years later. R.B. suffered from the effects of COPD. Mom cared for him until his death on February 27, 2008. She once again was a widow.
Widowhood never slowed Dorothy down. She was the director of the Silverchords and was very busy with her chorus performing all around the city. As a family, we considered her the Energizer Bunny—she just kept going and going. Before Dad RB’s death, he and Mom would play in their little band at the Senior Center as well as dance the night away. After RB died, Hugh Hatch joined the Silverchords and soon they were an item.
They began dating and Mom loved the constant twinkle in his eyes and the merciless teasing he gave her. They married on February 18, 2012. He was a gift to her family and brought so much joy and laughter to her and her family’s life. Once again, Dorothy became a caretaker for him with his daughter until Hugh’s passing on January 30, 2019.
Dorothy continued with her Silverchords, always busy preparing and performing. She had a gift for encouraging others to excel in performing. The Silverchords brought friends into her life and it was there she met Harold Catmull and his daughter Cindy. Harold and Dorothy enjoyed spending time together, playing games, having dinner, dancing and yes, singing. Cindy became another daughter to Dorothy and they have remained good friends since Harold’s passing on March 4, 2023.
Dorothy had many different employment opportunities. She excelled in direct, in-home jewelry sales. She worked her way up to become a Regional Sales Manager for Sarah Coventry Jewelry. Following her retirement from Sarah Coventry, she joined forces with Park Lane Jewelry. Her children have fond memories of helping her arrange and sort the jewelry for her next shows and traveling with her. In her later years, she was proud to work for “Experienced Works” and “Green Thumb,” helping seniors gain part-time employment. She received many awards for her accomplishments. She was much more successful than she ever realized.
Dorothy was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was a woman of profound faith and was unafraid to share her faith and beliefs. She held many callings within the church: Primary Teacher, Relief Society Counselor, Ward Missionary; but her favorite ALWAYS was that of chorister. Leading music in any capacity—Primary Chorister, Ward Chorister, Music Coordinator and Choir Director—brought her great joy. She loved to perform in any capacity as well. She was very excited when she and her mother had the opportunity to perform in the Salt Lake Tabernacle as part of the Singing Mothers.
Dorothy is survived by Timothy Reese - Son; Tammy Harman - Daughter; Cindy Martin - Daughter; Douglas Martin - Son (Darlene); Martie Reese Smith - Daughter-in-Law; Israel Reese - Grandson; Isaac Reese - Grandson; Joshua Reese - Grandson; Shalom Thomas - Granddaughter; Aaron Reese - Grandson; Jacob Reese - Grandson; Tegan Brown - Granddaughter; Deserae Hall - Granddaughter; Treasure Davis - Granddaughter; Bambi Harman - Granddaughter; TJ Harman - Grandson; Christopher Martin - Grandson; Zackery Arnaud - Grandson; David Arnaud - Grandson and Tyson Ball – Grandson, Step daughters, Michelle Reddish (Brian), Sherry Hatch and Sue Hatch. 37 Great-Grandchildren with one arriving soon and 29 Great-Great-Grandchildren with one arriving soon.
She is preceded in death by her father Harold Clyde Rupp; mother Lula Butt; siblings Harold, Donald and Louisa; husbands Thomas A. Reese, Rose B. Martin and Hugh Hatch; son Thomas H. Reese; daughter Rose Janine Arnaud; grandsons Moses Uriah Reed and Casey James Harman; granddaughter Kelli Jo Harman; Randy Winters - Son-in-Law; Kelly J. Harman - Son-in-Law and Pete Bontemps - Son-in-Law.
We wish to express thanks to the many who have cared for her these past few years. Care Connections provided tender care while she was living independently. Enhabit Health and Hospice attended to her medical and physical needs, always expressing concern for each of her needs with professionalism and care. Her medical team throughout the years, especially Erin Millward at Health West, and finally the amazing staff at Elegant Residential Living. She received special attention and care, always feeling loved by the staff who tended to her needs. You know who you are.
We love you, Mom, and miss you already.
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