Dorothy Von Weihe

Dorothy Lucille Von Weihe, one of three children of Elnora B. (Forristall) and Herman Detlef Guttau, was born September 17, 1915 at the family farm in Washington Township near Carson, Iowa. Dorothy's infant brother, Ralph, died in 1916 and her mother, Elnora died in 1919. Herman and Elnora's sister, Elizabeth Forristall were married. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Pauline and Viola. Tragically, Elizabeth died in 1926, leaving Herman with four young daughters. Herman and Ruth Brice were married and Ruth became mother to Herman's daughters and they continued to live in the Carson area.
Dorothy graduated from Carson High School in 1933 and completed Normal Teacher Training in Atlantic, Iowa. She taught country school at Hardin School No. 5 near Quick, Iowa.
Dorothy and Elmer Henry Von Weihe of Carson were married on June 1, 1938 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Treynor, Iowa. They established their home on a farm west of Carson. They later purchased their farm east of Carson where they became members of the Spring Creek Methodist Church. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Marlyn E. and Douglas G. Dorothy was a true partner in the operation of the farm and caring for the livestock. She cared for 500 laying hens and dressed broilers to supplement the farm income. She tended a large garden and canned the produce. Dorothy was famous for her made-from-scratch angel food cakes and egg noodles. Dorothy was an active member of the Carson United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for many years and belonged to the United Methodist Women. She was an outstanding program presenter who fully researched the subject matter. She loved to read, collect poems, and organize events such as picnics and bridal showers. Dorothy was a hard worker who spent countless hours helping to research and assemble the Carson Centennial History Book.
Failing health encouraged Dorothy and Elmer to move to the Oakland Manor where they continued to enjoy local activities and frequent visits from family and friends. Dorothy and Elmer had been married for 66 years when Elmer died on November 25, 2004. Dorothy died on July 10, 2005 at the Oakland Manor at the age of 89 years, 9 months, and 23 days. In addition to her husband Elmer, Dorothy was preceded in death by her infant brother Ralph and her parents.
Dorothy is survived by her sons Marlyn and his wife Darlene and Douglas and his wife Rebecca all of Carson; grandsons Daniel Von Weihe of London, England; Mark Von Weihe and his wife Kimberly and great grandchildren, Maxwell and Ryan of Raleigh, North Carolina, Michael Von Weihe of Manhattan, Kansas, and Kerry Von Weihe, a student at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa; sisters Madge Leannis and her husband Ray and Viola McEvony all of Sun City, Arizona and Pauline Jones of Council Bluffs, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the Carson United Methodist Building Fund.