Dorothy Sophia was born October 9, 1926 in Naisberry, SK to parents Helene and Christian Wiemken, the youngest of five children. As a young girl she moved with her family to Star City where Chris opened a blacksmith shop. Times were tough in the Dirty 30’s but the family kept a large garden and were very thrifty. Her parents spoke German language when she started school in Star City but Dorothy excelled at school even though she had to learn English. She often used to talk about all the funny escapades she and her close group of friends would have after school and in the summer in the Valley of Bones. She earned the Governor General Medal for her academics when she graduated high school. Dorothy went on to attend Teachers College but left College early when she was asked to take a teaching job at Port Arthur School near Archerwill. A few years later a job opening in grade one in Star City and being able to look after her father and brother brought her back to Star City. She met a handsome farmer, Norville, through a friend who was Norville’s cousin, Arlene Armstrong. Norville and Dorothy were married in 1948 at the Armstrong farm. Dorothy continued to substitute teach until the birth of her children Janet, Richard, Pat and Margaret. She did return to teaching for several years to teach the kindergarten classes once Margaret had turned three years old.
Dorothy had a lot of talents that she displayed as time allowed. She was an accomplished artist, often taking classes and she loved to teach her grandchildren when they came to visit. Many of her paintings are seen in the area today and across Canada. She also did a lot of writing as a reporter for the local papers and writing short stories for the Western Producer and Rural Roots. She created many treasured children’s books for her grandchildren and a cookbook of her favourite recipes for us all. She did calligraphy for many organizations in the area. Dorothy was an active member of the United Church and a lifetime member of the United Church Women. She often did pulpit relief and filled in as pianist at church when necessary. Dorothy was a member of the Star City Housing Authority, Star City Library Board, and on the Museum Board for many years. She also was on the Memorial Park Committee and the Cemetery Committee. Dorothy seemed to know a lot of the history of Star City and area and was often called upon to write or track down histories for people. She edited and worked on many of the local history books over the years. She was a member of the local Book Club that ran for 50 years. She earned the Saskatchewan Volunteer award in 1985.
Dorothy loved to pick berries and everyone loved eating them. She always had a large vegetable garden and planted flowers for her hummingbirds and for the vases inside the house. She was very proud of her farmyard and flowers and was given awards for them. Many hours were spent reading books and doing her puzzle books while watching the birds from the window. She loved her dogs, cats and farm animals. She was never happier then when she got to play her word and board games with her family around the dining room table. She always had a keen interest in what her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren were doing and was very proud of their accomplishments. She continued to live on the farm that she and Norville had improved so much over the years until she moved to Nirvana and then to Parkland Place in Melfort.
Dorothy was predeceased by her husband Norville, parents Helene and Chris Wiemken, her brother Wilbur and sisters: Marion, Marjorie and Helen.
She leaves to cherish her memory children: Janet (Michael) Gorkoff, Richard (Cathy) Armstrong, Pat (Penny) Armstrong, Margaret (Delbert) Miller. Her grandchildren: Kenneth (Jill) Gorkoff, Ward (Krista) Gorkoff, Michael (Lisa) Armstrong, Carolyn Stailing, Sherri (Anthony) Armstrong, Aaron (Pam) Armstrong, Cora (Shaun) Sutherland, Amy (Darren) Drollinger, Jason (Alyssa) Armstrong, Laura Miller, Logan Miller. Her great grandchildren: Aubree, Wesley, Elliot, Katlin, Paige (Kurtis), Joshua, Matthew, Madison, Ashlyn (Dallas), Tyrell, Ethan, Hunter, Hailey, Sophia, Brett, Amanda, Reese, Sierra, Khirgan, Chelsea. Great-great grandchildren Raeleigh, Danika, Aubrey and Hanna. Yes – that’s 53 of us now and still growing!
The service of remembrance will be held on October 25, 2019 at the Star City United Church in Star City at 1:00 p.m. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Star City United Church. Those wishing to leave online condolences for the family may visit the online guestbook at www.fedusiakfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium Ltd., Melfort, SK.

• Date : 2019-09-28
• Location : Melfort, SK