Dorothy May Kohler Darst, 80, passed away and went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Sept. 11, 2006 at Careage of Coupeville. She was born in Lyons, Colorado on July 30, 1926. After graduating from Estes Park High School in 1944 she followed her sister Mary, who went to Seattle to join the Boeing Company as “Rosie the Riveter.” She then joined the Cadet Nurse Corps and graduated from Tacoma General Hospital as a Registered Nurse.
During her training she met a young farmer, Gerald Darst, from Whidbey Island. They were married in 1948 in Tacoma. Dorothy spent her life raising her family and helping her husband run the family business, the Darst Potato Farm. She worked briefly in her nursing career, and was a member of the RN Club and the Tops Club. Dorothy was also involved with her church teaching Good News Clubs through the Child Evangelism Program as well as teaching and helping with summer Bible schools. Dorothy especially enjoyed her six grandchildren and great-granddaughters.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her sister Mary Swank, brother Tom Kohler, and her two sons Marvin and Daryl. Dorothy is survived by her husband Gerald at the family home; her daughters, Gloria Bonacci and husband Rick, and Peggy Darst Townsdin and husband Michael Rattray, all of Coupeville; her grandchildren, Danny Bonacci of Bellingham, Sherry Bonacci Roberts and husband Jon and Stephanie Bonacci of Coupeville, Christian Townsdin of Edmonds, Jamie Townsdin of Bellingham, and Michelle Townsdin; and great-granddaughters Lindsey Roberts and Austin and Chloe Roberts. Her brother John Kohler and wife Betty of Estes Park, Colorado and Sister Beth Wilson and husband Ford of Mexico City, Mexico also survive.
Services will be held Sunday Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. at the San de Fuca Chapel. Internment follows immediately afterwards at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville. Viewing will be Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at Burley Chapel. Remembrances may be made to World Vision. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
