DOTTIE GENEVA (SWINDELL) MARTIN

Dottie Geneva (Swindell) Martin of Caldwell, Idaho was born May 18, 1954 in Emmett, Idaho to Clifford and Lorraine Swindell, the second of seven children. Emmett was her families’ home base, but Dottie spent most of her first four to five years in the logging camps where Clifford was employed. In 1959 Clifford became employed by Boise Cascade and the family remained in Emmett so the children could start their schooling years there. Dottie spent her time being outside, going to the dairy, picking in the orchards, gardening, canning, sewing, and knitting. She loved being involved with the church and youth group activities.

Dottie graduated from Emmett High School in 1972 and then moved to San Jose where she did one year of Bible College and then switched to Cosmetology school. After graduating from there, she moved back to Idaho and continued with a Cosmetology school in Payette to receive a license to cut hair in Idaho.

Dottie learned to square dance at a young age and continued to do so into adulthood. Dottie met Loren Martin at a square dance event in October of 1975 and began a relationship with him. On Christmas Eve of that year they were engaged and were married April 3, 1976. They had four children together Kami Ann in 1977, Joni Lynn in 1979, Amber Dawn in 1986, and Austin Leigh in 1989. After twenty-three years of marriage Dottie and Loren divorced.

Over the years Dottie had a variety of jobs; Red Steer, Hersh’s, a manager of IGA, data entry clerk at the Department of Environmental Quality, and CCOA where she went into early retirement at age 63.

Dottie loved all her family near and far away. She had many cousins she was close to and spent a lot of time with. She loved to attend family gatherings and reunions catching up with everyone. She enjoyed spending time with friends and helping others. Dottie loved to water ski and hated fish and sea food. Dottie was blessed with eight grandchildren: Colton, Caitlinn, Logan, Adilynn, William, Orien, Cooper, and Elizabeth. Dottie was excited to find out she had one great-grandchild on the way. Dottie was called Home unexpectedly in the early hours of September 7, 2020. Dottie was preceded in death by her father Clifford, sister Marlene, and brother Bill. Dottie is survived by her mother Lorraine Swindell of Emmett, Idaho; her sister Tina of Texas; her brothers: Roy of Emmett, Idaho; Bob of Boise, Idaho; Matt of California; her children: Kami Martin and Mark Graybill of Delaware; Joni Sheets of Caldwell, Idaho; Amber and Tyler Lyford of Boise, Idaho; Austin and Gabby Martin of Boise, Idaho; her grandchildren; and her many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would also like to thank Mike Sprague for his compassionate loving care that he provided Dottie with for the last several years.  We truly appreciate everything that Mike did for our mom.

Services will be held Friday September 25, 2020 at Emmett Foursquare Church, 212 S Boise Ave, Emmett, Idaho 83617. Viewing from 10am to 11am, Services at 11 am with a lunch following. A short graveside service at Dry Creek Cemetery, 900 W Hill Rd, Boise, Idaho 83714, will be held at around 2 pm. In lieu of flowers or food the family requests donations towards her funeral costs be made to the Potter Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 697, Emmett, Idaho 83617.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of DOTTIE GENEVA (SWINDELL) MARTIN, please visit our floral store.