Dorothy Louise Bailey Knecht, 67, died Oct. 18 at Alaska Regional Hospital of subdural hematoma.

She was born July 11, 1942 in Huntington, W.V. She was the daughter of Stanley and Germanie Bailey. Dorothy attended high school in Michigan, where she met her high school sweetheart, Wilburn Privett. They were later joined in marriage and had five children.

In 1966, Wilburn was stationed at Fort Richardson, bringing their entire family to Alaska. In the early 1970s, they moved to Eagle River. While living in Eagle River, Dorothy worked for the school bus system. During that time she met Lewis Knecht, who she later married. Dorothy and Lewis moved to Chugiak and lived and worked at the Moose Horn Bus Barn. In 1975, they moved to Wasilla where they bought property together and owned and operated Buckeye Transit for many years. Some hobbies she enjoyed included her audio story books, gardening, cooking, shopping and a good movie.     

Her family said, “Dorothy was a very loving and caring mother who loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren. She loved cooking for the holidays and having everyone together. Her children were her life. We love you Mom you’ve done such a great job, we can’t wait to see you on the other side.”

She is survived by her sons, Wilburn Lee Privett and his wife, Feli of Anchorage; Douglas Keith Privett and his companion Christina Brown of Wasilla; Bruce Alen Privett of Wasilla; daughters, Laura Diane Privett of Valdez, and Julie Ann Privett of Anchorage; step-children; Daniel Knecht of Anchorage; Ken Knecht of Eagle River; Chuck Knecht of Anchorage; Paul Knecht of Wasilla; Douglas Knecht of Seattle; and Korene Knecht; grandchildren, Tyche and Casey Privett of Anchorage; and Chloe Privett of Valdez; step-grandchildren, Troy and Toree Brown of Wasilla;

She was preceded in death by her father, Stanley Bailey, and her husband, Lewis Knecht.    

There will be a memorial fund will be established at First National Bank of Alaska under Dorothy Knecht Memorial Fund.

A visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., on Sunday followed by a funeral at 3 p.m., at the Valley Funeral Home, 151 E. Herning Ave., in Wasilla. Interment will follow at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery. There will be a reception following the burial at 2001 Wasilla-Fishhook Road in Wasilla.