Dorothy Covington
May 17th, 1943 - January 14th, 2026
Memoriams/Legacy
May 17, 1943 - January 14, 2026
Dorothy Mae Covington, 82, of St. Marys, passed away peacefully on Wednesday,
January 14, 2026, at Oakley Place in Rossville, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Alma, Kansas, on May 17, 1943, to Arthur Chris and Madeline (Kobiskie)
Thowe, Dorothy grew up attending schools in Alma before graduating from Hayward
High School in Hayward, California. She returned to her Kansas roots later in
life, where she built a remarkable legacy of love, creativity, and community.
Dorothy married John Kolde on December 30, 1961, in Hayward, California. Years
later, she married Calvin Covington on July 4, 2001, in St. Marys; Calvin
survives her at home.
For more than 33 years, Dorothy owned and operated Dorothy's Hair Salon in St.
Marys, pouring her heart into every client who walked through her door. She was
far more than a hairstylist—she was a trusted friend, a celebrator of life's
milestones, and a source of comfort in tender moments. From a toddler's first
haircut to the perfect prom updo, the elegant wedding styles that made brides
glow, and even the gentle, dignified final touches prepared with care and
respect before funerals, Dorothy helped mark the most meaningful chapters in
countless lives. She took quiet pride in her craft and the relationships she
nurtured, knowing she played a small but special role in making people feel
beautiful and seen.
While her salon work brought her deep fulfillment, nothing compared to the joy
of family. Dorothy became a grandmother in 1987 and later a beloved "Gigi" to
her great-grandchildren starting in 2013—roles she cherished above all else. She
delighted in decorating for the holidays, filling her home with warmth and
light, and treasuring every moment spent laughing, playing, and creating
memories with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dorothy is survived by her devoted husband, Calvin Covington; sons, Joe (Kim)
Kolde and Mike (Shaney) Kolde; grandchildren, Jessica (Ryan) Cole, Samantha
(Paul) Odell, Wyatt (Megan) Kolde, and Kati (Ben Kates) Kolde; and eight
great-grandchildren, Turner, Averi, Brayliee, Blase, Carter, Penelope, Mia, and
Josie.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings: John Palenske, Nyla
Lesline, Ella Marr, Art Thowe, Robert Thowe, Delmar Thowe, and Vernon Thowe.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at
Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys, with a rosary recited at 5:45 p.m. Funeral
services will follow at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, also at Piper
Funeral Home, with burial in the Peace United Church of Christ Cemetery in Alma,
Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas City
Foundation for Pulmonary Fibrosis (kcpulmonaryfibrosis.org) or Helping Hands
Humane Society (hhhstopeka.org) and may be left in care of Piper Funeral Home,
714 Maple St., St. Marys, KS 66536.
Dorothy's legacy lives on in the smiles she created, the lives she touched, and
the love she shared so generously with her family and community. She will be
deeply missed and forever remembered.
Publication date: January 22nd, 2026