Dorothy Wiemerslage
Dorothy Wiemerslage, age 91, of Decorah died Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at Barthel Eastern Star Home in Decorah. Funeral service was held Saturday, February 13 at Congregational United Church of Christ, Decorah, with Rev. Laura Arnold officiating. Interment was at Wheatland Cemetery, New Albin.
Dorothy Marie (Kerndt) Wiemerslage was born October 1, 1924, the daughter of Herman and Clara (Marti) Kerndt, on the family farm near Churchtown, rural Allamakee County. Dorothy was baptized October 23, 1924 at the Zion Reformed Church, Waukon and was confirmed in 1935 at the Congregational Church, Churchtown.
While growing up, Dorothy helped on the farm by doing whatever was needed, but the outside chores were her favorite. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1942 and worked part-time at a gift shop in Waukon. Dorothy worked for eight years at the Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, WI as a nurse’s aide.
November 13, 1954, Dorothy was united in marriage to Les Wiemerslage at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Together they had and raised Bob and Jane. Dorothy and Les lived in New Albin from 1955-65 and then moved to Decorah, where Dorothy worked at the Smith Memorial Hospital in Decorah as a nurse’s aide. She then started working for the Decorah Community School District in food service from 1968-1986. After retirement, Dorothy worked at the Dayton House and as a sub at Sunflower Daycare.
She and Les enjoyed their winters in Arizona for five years and also fishing with friends up north. Dorothy truly loved spending time with her neighbors and her friends, and her children’s friends. Dorothy enjoyed cooking, the kids in school, playing cards, square dancing, walking, bowling, water aerobics, volunteering, vegetable gardening, her flower beds, as well as baking and giving away what she made to others. She also was delighted to be asked to be a model in the front windows at Margaret’s Clothing Store.
Dorothy treasured her loving relationship with her sister, Lucille, for her entire life. Dorothy enjoyed being busy, but above everything else, she loved and cared deeply for her husband and children. Dorothy was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ and the Petra Circle, Wellington Place Ladies Auxiliary, the Red Smock Bowling League and several card clubs.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, Les Wiemerslage of Decorah; two children: Bob (Sara) Wiemerslage of Shueyville and Jane Wiemerslage of Apple Valley, MN; two grandsons, Clay (Lindsey) Wiemerslage and Ben (Molly Elliott) Wiemerslage; one sister, Lucille Halverson of Waukon; three sisters-in-law, Patsy Kerndt of Lansing, Lou Kerndt of Omaha, NE and Rosemary Kerndt of Omaha, NE, along with many nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by a stillborn daughter; her parents, Herman and Clara (Marti) Kerndt; three brothers, Warren Kerndt, Harold (Sharon) Kerndt and Donald “Donnie” Kerndt; one brother-in-law, Jack Halverson; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Anna (Gade) Wiemerslage; and one sister-in-law, Helen (Harold) Franck.
Honorary casketbearers were Alison Bishop, Director of Nursing and all the caring staff at the Barthel Eastern Star Home. Casketbearers were Clay Wiemerslage, Ben Wiemerslage, Dick Kerndt, Clark Kerndt, Brad Kerndt and Dave Cocker.
Schulter-Balik Funeral Home, Decorah assisted the family with arrangements.
