Dorothy E. (Gardner) Wilhelm

Dorothy E. Wilhelm, 100, of LaPorte, Indiana passed away Thursday, July 13, 2017.

Dorothy was born September 21, 1916 in Madison, South Dakota to Morton and Morna (Cooley) Gardner.

On August 29, 1936 Dorothy married Earl L. Wilhelm, who preceded her in death on November 15, 1989.

Dorothy was a homemaker.  She also was a Nurses aid at Stites Nursing, she volunteered at LaPorte Hospital where she was honored for 500 hours as a pink lady, she assisted weekly devotions at Countryside and Fountainview as a pianist, and she was an active volunteer for the Salvation Army.

Dorothy leaves behind three daughters, Carol (Frederick) Heiden of LaPorte, Indiana, Kathleen Larson of LaPorte, Indiana, and Janice Wilhelm-Davis of San Diego, California; grandchildren, Judy (William) Anderson, Christopher Davis, Stephen (Jennifer) Larson, Elaine (Nicholas) Lindquist, Deborah Lovvorn, Andrea (Stephen) Martin, and Gary Wilhelm; nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Alice Meek of North Carolina; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Gardner of Michigan City, Indiana and several nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Earl; a son, David Wilhelm; a granddaughter, Felicia Wilhelm; two brothers, Harold and Eugene Gardner; and a sister, Laurene Perry.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, LaPorte, Indiana.  Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m.  with Pastor Larry Owen officiating.  Burial will follow in Springville Cemetery in La Porte.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the donor’s choice in Dorothy’s name.

Please share condolences and memories with the family at Essling Funeral Home.com.

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