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Dorthy C "Dort" Miller
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MASON CITY - Dorothy C. 'Dort' Miller, 88, a resident of the IOOF Home in Mason City since April 2002 and formerly of 111 S. Kentucky Ave., Mason City, died early Wednesday morning (April 27, 2005) at the IOOF Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E. in Mason City, with the Rev. Jim Stiles officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City. The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday morning at Fullerton Funeral Home prior to Dorothy's service. Dorothy Caroline Miller was born Nov. 15, 1916, in Algona to Joseph A. and Mildred M. (Spear) Fraser. 'Dort,' as she was lovingly known by her close family and friends, was the second oldest child and first daughter of 11 children born to her parents. She received her education and graduated from Algona High School with the class of 1934. While attending high school, she enrolled in "normal training classes," at which time she received an Iowa teaching certificate, allowing her to teach in rural schools. Prior to the marriage to her high school sweetheart, Dorothy taught school in a one-room schoolhouse in the Algona area for four years. |
On April 22, 1939, Dorothy was united in marriage to Bernard Z. 'Ben' Miller in Mason City. The couple enjoyed cheering for their favorite ball teams and dancing. They became the busy parents of three children.
Ultimately, Ben and Dort celebrated 65 years of marriage together prior to Ben's death on March 8, 2005.
Dorothy was a member of First United Methodist Church in Mason City and active within the United Methodist women's church group.
Dorothy was a devoted housewife, mother and grandmother. She regarded her family as her highest priority and is described by her children as a resourcefully creative woman who was clever, watchful, faithful to her church and a loyal friend. Dorothy possessed a unique sense of humor and had overcome many health obstacles throughout the past years with a positive attitude and very little complaint. She had a warm and comfortable personality and was very knowledgeable and accepting of individualism.
Some of Dorothy's favorite leisure activities and interests include baking, cooking and sewing for her family, reading, solving crossword puzzles, bargain shopping, completing upholstery projects, traveling with Ben and drawing and doodling. Her children fondly recall Dorothy's homemade pies, especially pecan and her homemade bread.
Dorothy also treasured time spent with her family in the Algona area. Many times, she and/or her children traveled by train or car to visit them or attend a reunion. At one time during Bob's elementary years, Dort chaperoned his class to Algona and back, via train.
Dorothy's sisters remember their older sister as their mentor and second mother. She assisted them in preparing for the school day, offering advice on living life day to day, making "something" creations out of little of nothing material, and washing and styling their hair in the latest fashion.
In Dort's later years, the care of her husband and her interests involving her grandchildren and great-grandson's daily milestones were her greatest source of pride and joy.
She will be sadly missed by her granddaughters and grandsons: Rebecca (Jeff) Karen and their son, Evan Karen, Joseph Miller, Saul Miller, Kary Miller, Cindi Miller, Ty Cobb and Bree Cobb.
Also surviving Dorothy are her children: William K. 'Bill' (Lois) Miller of Sharon, Mass., Robert C. 'Bob' (Mary) Miller of Mason City, and Barbara J. 'Barb' (Bill) Cobb of Ames; her sisters: Eleanor Brandow and Lois (Bill) Dau, both of Algona; and her brothers: Virgil (Bernice) Fraser of New York and Harlan Fraser of Tennessee.
Dorothy was preceded by her husband, Bernard Z. 'Ben' Miller; her parents, Joseph A. and Mildred M. Fraser; her sister, Phyllis Tibbetts; her brothers: Verl F. Fraser, Ronald W. Fraser, Robert A. Fraser, Lewis E. Fraser and Larry Fraser; her sisters-in-law: Ellen Fraser and Sally Fraser, and her brothers-in-law: Charles Tibbetts and Ellsworth Brando
Published in the Globe Gazette from 4/28/2005 - 4/29/2005.