Dorothy Christen

Dorothy Christen passed away the other day. I heard she had a brain aneurism from which she was unable to recover. Sadly, it’s a reminder of how quickly any of us can be taken away. I sit here on my little corner in Wadena and watch the world pass outside of my window. Just from my perspective, I was able to see how large of a part that Dorothy played in our community. I am a writer and felt compelled to send a letter to the editor of our local papers. Hopefully you’ll see my piece in next week’s paper with her obituary, but in case you don’t, here’s the letter that I submitted:

Dear Editor,

My wife informed me that Dorothy Christen passed away this morning. It comes as a shock as I remember seeing her alive and well during our parade just a little over a week ago here in Wadena. It reminds me how fast people can be taken away.

Dorothy’s death is a tremendous loss to our community. When it came time to decorate by putting flags up on the poles in town, I would see Dorothy out there helping. When the Legion or Fire Department would have events, Dorothy would be there. Every Christmas, Dorothy would be there with Santa Claus for the children of our town. When our church here in town started having Awanas for the children, Dorothy was there. Dave and Dorothy were some of the most recognizable features in our parade every year. There would be Dorothy, riding on some contraption that her husband Dave would dream up! When my wife needed help with our sewing machine, Dorothy was there, patiently willing to help. When anyone got sick in Wadena and needed medical help, Dorothy, as a first responder, was there. When children were in need, Dave and Dorothy took them in as foster parents.

I’m sure I’m only scratching the surface of those things which Dorothy did for our community. Those are the only the things that I was able to witness as I sit here on my little corner in Wadena. It’s my understanding that Dorothy did a whole lot more for the greater community. George Jones used to sing, “Who’s Gonna Fill their Shoes”. I think of this song when I think about Dorothy’s passing. She will leave behind some very large shoes to fill in our little town. Her loss will be sorely noticed in this community. My wife and I send our condolences to her husband Dave and the rest of Dorothy’s loved ones.

                                                                                                                                Sincerely, Eric E. Durnan, Wadena, Iowa

 

Here is video from our parade on the 20th of September, a mere week and a few days before she died.