Dorothy Pearl Alflen

Dorothy Pearl (Knoll) Alflen was born June 10, 1924 in Osborne County Kansas, and entered the presence of Jesus Christ, her Savior, on June 30, 2023 after a short hospice care stay at Bainbridge Island Health and Rehabilitation Center.  She was born on the family farm to Wilson Knoll and Celestis (Ulmer) Knoll as child number four among nine other siblings, and her reflections on farm and family life in her early childhood were marked with fondness, security, and love.

Dorothy’s parents had a deeply rooted faith in God as devoted followers of Christ, a faith they passed on in tangible and practical ways.  She attended and was baptized in water as part of Mayflower United Brethren Church in Osborne, KS.  Her mother, Celestis, died a premature death at age 32 as a result of a severe infection caused by a small finger cut that occurred while canning berries.  Dorothy was only 11 years old at the time, and her youngest brother a newborn baby.  This loss altered the life direction for Wilson Knoll and his children, but their love for God and for one another would keep them united for years to come. The Annual Knoll Family Reunion served as a perennial reminder of that bond, and Dorothy tried to attend whenever possible.

Dorothy graduated from Downs High School in 1942, and by August of that same year she married Lloyd Alflen, also of Osborne, Kansas.  The newlyweds lived in Osborne, and after the birth of their first two children, Gary and Marsha, they made a mutual decision to follow Jesus Christ as a married couple on Mother’s Day 1946 at Osborne Assembly of God Church.  Both of them honored this commitment for the rest of their lives.  Dorothy was a woman of prayer and made a habit of reading the Bible every day, even when her eyesight and health was failing.  Dorothy’s work ethic and abilities extended beyond her role as a homemaker, as she served as an employee in her father-in-law’s greenhouse and floral business in Osborne.  Lloyd eventually went to work as a heavy equipment operator in the construction of Kansas highways, a position that he filled with pride and one that provided well for their growing family.  Lloyd and Dorothy carried on the tradition of building large families by birthing eight children of their own, Gerald, Marsha, James, Dennis, Kelly, Darice, Kelvin, and Martin.

In early 1962, enticed by the positive experience of Lloyd’s older brother, Henry, and the lure of Pacific Northwest mountains and beaches, Lloyd and Dorothy relocated from Kansas to Puyallup, WA. Lloyd initially worked as an auto mechanic in his brother’s shop, and eventually opened Midland Automotive in the Parkland area of Tacoma in partnership with another brother.  Once settled, they joined the Puyallup Assembly of God Church which served as their “home” church for many years. All the while, Dorothy devoted herself to raising children, along with development of “side jobs” of her own, to include working as a Tupperware representative, and keeping books for their automotive business.  Her Kansas upbringing taught her a solid work ethic. In her “spare” time, Dorothy enjoyed sewing, quilting, arts and crafts projects, and especially gardening.  The feel of God’s earth between her fingers brought her much joy, so much so that one of her last projects was to raise seedlings for a garden, the harvest of which she would not live to enjoy, but left it as a special reminder to her children of her love for growing flowers and vegetables.

Dorothy faced the tragic loss of her husband to a sudden heart attack in February of 1976, and chose to live out the rest of her life as a widow, serving her family’s needs. She would actually live more years of her life as a single woman than as a married one.  Dorothy lived and provided in-home care for two of her young grandchildren until her physical health no longer allowed.  In 2017, at the age of 94, Dorothy moved in with her daughter, Darice, in Issaquah, WA.  With the help of prayer and loving care, God delivered her from death’s door on several occasions to the surprise of doctors and family members alike.  She earned the title “Energizer Bunny” for her ability to bounce back with a clear mind, and always positive attitude.  After a serious fall in early June, Dorothy’s body finally said “no more,” though her mind and attitudes spoke otherwise.  She and her family received loving and capable hospice care from the Kitsap County Hospice Team and the attentive staff of Bainbridge Island Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Lloyd Alflen; her oldest son Gerald Alflen; a younger son, Kelvin Alflen; all of her nine siblings and their spouses, June & Wes Charlesworth, Ethyl & Oscar Herrick, Ted & Erma Knoll, Harvey & Mary Lou Knoll, Anthony “Teak” & Joan Knoll, Doris Luciel Knoll, Maxine & Alvin Keever, George & Joyce Knoll, and Neal (Knoll) Hurlburt; two daughters-in-law Ruth (Hollis) Alflen and Marcia (Jamieson) Alflen; granddaughters Valerie and Mimi; and numerous other extended family members.

She is survived by six of her eight children, Marsha & Phil Peterson of Kalispell, MT, James Alflen of Tacoma, Dennis & Anita Alflen of Tacoma, Kelly and Maggie Alflen of Snohomish; Darice and Les Welk of Bremerton, and Martin and Kim Alflen of Spanaway; a widowed daughter-in-law Janet Alflen of Puyallup; 27 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and a large number of dearly beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

Public viewing and last respects may be paid to Dorothy at Powers Funeral Home in Puyallup on July 12 from 10:00am – 4:00pm and July 13 from 10:00am – 12 noon. Graveside services will be held at Woodbine Cemetery in Puyallup, WA on July 13 at 1:00pm.  A memorial celebration of her life will be held on July 28 at 11:00am at Milton Faith Family Church (1702 Milton Way, Milton WA 98354) with Rev. Les Welk officiating. A luncheon reception will follow for all in attendance.  In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dorothy may be directed to “Agape’Hope” Pastoral Counseling and Care at www.AgapeHope.com or mailed directly to AgapeHope, P.O. Box 1030, Woodinville WA 98072.  Please identify your gift as “Dorothy Alflen Memorial.”