Dorothy A. Wilkie

Dorothy Ann (Rasmussen) Wilkie, the daughter of Arthur and Ruth (Evans) Rasmussen, was born on July 3, 1934, in Kingsley, IA. She grew up in nearby Grand Meadow and graduated Valedictorian of her high school senior class. She married John Wilkie on May 3, 1954, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. They made their home on the Wilkie family farm near Larrabee, IA. Dorothy helped Johnny raise cattle and harvest crops, all while raising their 4 children. She loved life on the farm more than anything. John passed away on June 2, 1992. Dorothy continued living on the farm until she moved to The Gardens Assisted Living in Cherokee in October of 2010. She began working at Hope's Fashion Farm in Cherokee in 1960. She started as a seamstress, and once made a wedding gown and 4 bridesmaid dresses for a bride. She was then moved to sales, and eventually became the office manager. She was also a buyer for the store, traveling to New York City, Chicago and Kansas City with Hope and on her own. She had impeccable style and taste, which was reflected in her home and her personal self. In 1976 she opened C&D Bookkeeping with her sister, Chris. They purchased the H&R Block franchise in Cherokee in 1984, and operated it until 2005, when the business was sold upon Dorothy's retirement. She enjoyed traveling with Johnny, playing golf, bridge and slot machines, and coffee time with friends. Her true passion was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were the loves of her life. In the past few years of her life, Dorothy struggled so much with her disease. She never complained--never. Her positive attitude and the twinkle in her eyes inspired everyone around her, and taught us all the true meaning of selflessness. Her quick sense of humor remained with her until the day she went to meet her Lord. Following a courageous 5-year battle with emphysema and cancer, Dorothy passed away under Hospice care on January 28, 2014, at The Gardens Assisted Living in Cherokee, IA. She was 79. Preceding her in death were her parents, Arthur and Ruth, her husband, John, and brother, Chris Rasmussen. Survivors include her 4 children: Barry (Mary Ellen) Wilkie of Lakewood, CO, Randy (Melissa) Wilkie of Larrabee, IA, Lora (Dr. Tim) Holton, Dakota Dunes, SD, and Wade (Kim) Wilkie of Carroll, IA; 8 grandchildren: Jessica and Alec Wilkie, Paige and Haley Holton, Jarret and Jenna Wilkie, Kylie and Sam Wilkie; 2 great-grandchildren, Karsyn and Hendrick; 2 sisters, Mary (Ted) Liebsch of Grand Marais, MN, and Christine (Chris) Miller of Cherokee, IA. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dorothy's name may be directed to Hospice of Cherokee.

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