Dorothea Wanders

Dorothea Wanders, 89 of New Sharon passed away Saturday morning, April 27, 2024 at her home in New Sharon under hospice care. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Lighthouse Church in New Sharon. Burial will be held in the Friends Cemetery in New Sharon. Visitation begins after 12:00 pm Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at the Lighthouse Church in New Sharon with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Pella Comfort House. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of New Sharon is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothea Barthea Newendorp, daughter of Walter John and Marie Louise Dorothea (Groenendyk) Newendorp, was born May 31, 1934 at their home west of Oskaloosa, near Leighton, Iowa. Dorothea grew up on a farm with her four siblings Wilbur, Beulah, Louise and John. She attended the Old West Weaver Country School. Dorothea graduated 8th grade in 1948. In the early 1950's, Dorothea worked at Mercy Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa as a nurse's aide. During this time, she met Dwight Wanders, while attending a church function. After two years of dating, Dwight and Dorothea married on February 14, 1957 at Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton, Iowa. To this union six children were born; Julia, Steven, Gary, Laurel, Mary, Marcia. They lived and farmed in Leighton and Sully before settling on a farm south of Barnes City. Dorothea enjoyed being a homemaker and helping Dwight on the farm. She drove the tractor while bailing hay and always ready to lend a hand doing chores. She always had coffee time ready.
Dorothea loved people. She loved to visit daily with family and friends and was a member of the neighborhood Happy-Go-Lucky Club. Some of her hobbies included gardening and canning. Her greatest joys were crocheting and cross-stitching blankets for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a collector of cookbooks and enjoyed making cookies and bars for family gatherings. She treasured her family and enjoyed every moment with them. Dorothea cleaned houses and was a substitute cook at North Mahaska Schools for many years. She was a life-long member of Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She recently attended the Lighthouse Church in New Sharon and Heart of Worship Church in Lynnville.
Dorothea's memory will be honored by her children and families, Julia (Randy) Pitman and their two children, Regina (Joe) Eiben and their daughters, Maleigh, Nora, Vayda and Brice (Kendra) Pitman and their daughters, Korrinn and Grace; Steven (Lisa) Wanders and their two sons, Nathan Wanders and daughter, Harleigh and Brandon (Jesi) Wanders and children, Kalynn Wanders, Haylee Walters and Wyllie Walters, Gary (Lana) Wanders and four children, Ethan (Keelie) Wanders, Abbie (Mike) Brown and their sons, Grant and Grady, Ann (Paul) Sauter and their children, Halle, Perri, Lyal, Amara (Andy) Mart and their children, Lyndi, Olsen and Malcom, Laurel Wanders, Mary Jo (Randy) DeBruin and children, Brynna (Jake) Vande Noord and their children, Lauren, Brooklyn and Jackson, Carly (Nolan Navara) Steele and their daughter, Reese, Kelsie (Ryan) Parton and their daughter, Korbyn, Kiegan (Colin) Watts and their children, Maverick, Bodhie and Jax, Marcia (Tim) Rodibaugh and their sons, Mason (Dakotah Bokhoven) Rodibaugh and Preston Rodibaugh. Dorothea is also survived by sisters-in-law: Gladys Newendorp, Karen Newendorp, Wanda Vande Krol and a brother-in-law John Van Woerkom.
Dorothea is preceded in death by: her husband Dwight Wanders, her sisters Beulah (Dormand) Arkema, Louise Van Woerkom and brothers Wilbur Newendorp and John Newendorp. Brothers-in-law Henry Wanders and Robert Vande Krol, a son-in-law Tom Sheets and a great granddaughter Tessa Sauter.