Obituary of Dorothy Marie Elder

Dorothy Marie Elder Arness, age 93, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on July 1, 2014. She was loved by so many and her presence will be deeply missed. Dorothy was born to Earl and Pearl Elder on June 17, 1921 in Aberdeen, Washington. She spent her childhood in Aberdeen and graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1940. She met her soulmate, Robert “Bob” Arness of Kingston, Washington, at the Croatian Dance Hall in Aberdeen. Dorothy and Bob had a six-month courtship and were married on March 31, 1942. Soon after they were married, Bob was drafted in the Army for service in WWII. Before leaving to go overseas, the Army sent Bob to North Carolina to attend airplane mechanic school. Dorothy had never left Washington state, but wanted to be with her husband, so she traveled by train seven days and seven nights to be with Bob in North Carolina. While she was there, she worked as a waitress in a diner. After Bob finished mechanics school, he was sent overseas and Dorothy returned to Aberdeen. During this time, she worked in the Aberdeen Boeing plant, making airplane parts as a “Rosie the Riveter.” After Bob returned from the War, and after waiting patiently for eight years, Dorothy and Bob had one child, Judy Lynn. They lived in Washington, Oregon and California and were a very close and loving family. Dorothy and Bob had a wonderful 60-year marriage. Bob passed away in March 2002. Dorothy was a homemaker and loved to shop, travel, work in her yard, tell stories and spend time with her family. Dorothy cooked the best Thanksgiving dinner and loved to bake as well. She will be remembered for her positive attitude, sense of humor/wit, and kindness. Dorothy is survived by her sister, Eileen Elder Clay of Shelton; grandson, Chad Walker and wife Lindsie of Midvale, Utah; granddaughter, Lindsay Walker Marquez and husband Israel of Olympia; five great-grandchildren, Maia and Dane Walker, and Blake, Hunter and Sierra Marquez; and her son-in-law, Tom Walker. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob Arness; and her daughter, Judy Arness Walker; father and mother, Earl and Pearl (Cummings) Elder; sister, Lois Elder Helm; and brother, Cecil Elder. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Dorothy’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org or by phone at 800-805-5856). Please sign Dorothy’s Guestbook below and share your memories and stories of this wonderful woman!