Dorothy B. Whiting

Dorothy B. Whiting, of Ashland, departed this world and went to heaven December 15, 2024, one month short of her 99th birthday. Dorothy was born in Maple Lake, Minnesota on January 26, 1926 to Arnold and Wilhelmina (Mol) Vandergon.
She spent her formative years on her parents' farm in Maple Lake, along with sisters Marion and Phyliss and brother Bud. After she graduated from high school, she attended Central College in Pella, IA, a Christian college, where she earned a teaching degree. Dorothy loved to tell the story of when she went on a blind date with a young man. When she got home, she could not remember his name, but knew he was the man she would marry. She fell in love with this man, Charles Whiting, and they were married June 25, 1948 in Maple Lake, MN. Charles went to school in Ames, IA, where he earned a degree as an engineer. Dorothy taught elementary school in Iowa until she and Charles started their family.
They began their family with the arrival of their first daughter, Elizabeth, in 1951. Charles got a job as a mechanical engineer in Waverly, Iowa in 1951, where they lived until 1961. That also saw the addition of son Charles in 1952, daughter Patricia in 1955, and son Craig in 1961. Dorothy was a stay at home mother, but was very active in her church, children's school, and her community, with many good, close friends. She truly loved her time in Iowa as a young mother, and spoke of it often.
They moved to Marion, Ohio in 1961. It was a promotion for her husband but the time in urban Ohio, coming from rural Iowa, was not a good experience for Dorothy and the whole family for many reasons. They were there for only a year and a half until Charles Sr. got a job in Northern Wisconsin – Ashland. The whole family was glad for the move and loved the city, and the area immediately! Dorothy cherished living in this area, surrounded by the woods and Lake Superior.
So Dorothy spent the next 63 years calling Ashland her home. She and Charles built a new home on Vaughn Avenue as soon as they could and welcomed the final member of the family, Richard, soon after, in 1966.
Charles became Chief Engineer at Beloit Woodlands in Ashland, until Beloit Company decided to move their operation to Alabama. The family would not make the move so they started their own business, with the help of a partner, Bob Carlson. Life was sometimes rough financially, but the tough times brought out the best in Dorothy's family. They continued and grew the business to success until 1984 when they decided to sell it to someone else.
During those years, Dorothy and her family became devoted members of the Presbyterian-Congregational Church in Ashland, and continue to this day as a result of Dorothy's firm, loving, and consistent reliance on Jesus Christ. Her greatest legacy, she would tell you, is her family: her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who now share the love of Jesus that her parents and grandparents shared with her – truly a generational blessing.
In 1985, Dorothy's husband died of cancer at only 60 years old. The family was devastated but after a period of mourning, Dorothy realized that she must, as a child of God, move on with her life and her purpose. Her purpose was two-fold: teaching and caring for others, and the public library was the perfect place to do both. After only a short time she instituted a program on the 2nd floor of the library where she read stories and interacted with young children and their parents and grandparents. Three times a week, she would take on the persona of "Granny Goose". She also read at area schools and daycares. Dorothy treasured this as a lifetime job and continued to do it for 32 years, until she retired at 92.
Her job at the library was only part-time. She became the "elder care worker" at church. She visited shut-ins and residents of local nursing homes each week. She would pray, sing, read, or just sit and talk to many of the community's elderly. She served as the interim chaplain at the hospital for a year and as the nursing home chaplain for 27 years. She completed the clinical pastoral education course through Memorial Medical Center, and a three year lay ministry course through the Presbyterian Church. She was a qualified and effective preacher and led services in a number of churches in Northern Wisconsin. She filled in many times at her home church in Ashland. She was also part and leader of an Ecumenical Bible Study that lasted, with mostly the same members, for fifty years.
Dorothy had true unconditional love for the people in her life, and it could be felt in her presence and seen by the twinkle in her eye. She took joy in feeding her ever-growing family and visiting with her family and friends. She was a traveler and an adventurer who always loved learning and helping and teaching others. Her smile could instantly make a person feel appreciated and she always took the time to let people know that she cared. Dorothy's life is truly evidence of a life well-lived and she will be greatly and deeply missed by many.
A celebration of Dorothy's life is planned for January 10th from 5:00 to 8:00 at The Gathering Barn. A memorial service will take place at the Presbyterian Congregational Church in Ashland on January 11th at 2:00, with visitation at 1:00 p.m., pastor Jim Deters officiating.
Dorothy was preceded in death by many friends, loved ones, her sisters Marion (Louis) Balster, Phyliss (Red) Bergman, brother Bud (Gloria) Vandergon, her husband Charles, daughter Patricia (Larry) Sobush, and great granddaughter, Eris Yepma.
She is survived by her daughter Beth (Albert) Smith, and three sons, Charles (Jean) Whiting, Craig (Bonita) Whiting, and Richard (Anne) Whiting, 15 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, and 9 great, great grandchildren. Dorothy will be cremated, with her ashes mingled with those of her beloved husband. Internment will take place at a date yet to be determined.
Memorials (if preferred) in lieu of flowers, may be made to: Presbyterian Congregational Church Fellowship Renovation Project.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Mountain Funeral Home of Ashland.