Dorothy Dorris Lowe Goethel passed away at the Health Care Center of Friendship Village in Tempe, Ariz., on April 5, 2009. She was born in Kelliher, Minn., on July 4, 1914. She attended and graduated high school in Bemidji, Minn., after attending University High School in Grand Forks, N.D.. She later earned bachelor’s and master’s of education degrees from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.
Dorothy was married to William A. Lowe on Jan. 19, 1933. Two sons, Arthur and William, were born to this union. William Lowe died Oct. 25, 1936. Dorothy married William A. Goethel on July 16, 1940. One daughter, Ann, was born to this union. Dorothy was active in the Eau Claire community having served as a Red Cross Gray Lady during World War II, served on the Children’s Service Society, was president of the Eau Claire Service League and was an officer with the Republican Women. She taught in the Eau Claire and Altoona school systems. She was one of the founders of “Ye Olde Book Club” which first met in 1951 and continued to thrive for nearly 50 years.
In the late 1960s, the Goethels moved to Whidbey Island, having purchased a steak house which they operated for several years. She was active with the Orthopedic Hospital of Seattle, was president of Republican Women and served as a State Republican Committee Woman. After selling the steak house, Dorothy owned and operated a needlework shop and taught classes in knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and crewel design. She also taught speech communications at Skagit Valley College of Whidbey Island where the majority of her students were military personnel preparing to embark into civilian life.
The Goethels returned to Eau Claire in 1979 where she volunteered at Sacred Heart Hospital, the Chippewa Valley Museum and the Literacy program. She was a member of The Friends of the Library and Republican Women. Dorothy and her daughter moved to a gated community in the beautiful coastal village of Florence, Ore., where she started a book club which still survives. Dorothy moved to Friendship Village of Tempe, Ariz., where she was active in several groups and founded a book club there.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, William Lowe and William Goethel; and her sons, Bill and Art Lowe. She is survived by her daughter, Ann Goethel, Scottsdale, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. A graveside ceremony will take place this summer in Eau Claire. Memorials may be made in her memory to the organization of your choice. Acknowledgements and/or condolences may be sent to: Angels Cremation and Burial 422 W. McClellan Rd., Mesa, AZ, or email to: angelscremation@yahoo.com.
