Dorothy J. Fife

Dorothy Jane Willett, the daughter of Olin Norwood and Evelyn Jane (Arthur) Willett, was born June 29, 1922 in rural Adams County, Iowa. Dorothy entered eternal rest on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at the Griswold Rehab Health Care Center in Griswold, Iowa, at the age of 93 years and 3 months.
Dorothy was raised in Douglas Township and attended Middle Valley School then transferred to Corning Community School where she graduated with the Class of 1939. On August 24, 1939 Dorothy was united in marriage to Max Peterson. The couple was blessed with two children: Harvey Charles II and Linda Jane. Max was killed in an auto accident on their eighth anniversary. Dorothy and the children remained on the farm. On March 5, 1950 Dorothy was united in marriage to Carroll D. Strait. A son, Ted was born to bless this union.
In February 1960 their home was destroyed by fire and with family assistance they built a new home where she lived until failing health. Carroll died of a heart attack on August 18, 1976. On June 2, 1977 Dorothy was united in marriage to Edward Fife. He died June 14, 2007. Dorothy had resided in Griswold since May of 2012.
Dorothy was an outdoor person. She enjoyed caring for her lawn, garden and flowers and helping her husbands in the fields. She always said her brothers made her a tomboy as she would rather climb trees and ride horses than play with dolls. She played basketball in high school, was football queen attendant for three years and football homecoming queen in 1939. She was an avid golfer and belonged to the Happy Hollow Country Club for many years where she won several championships. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Rose Ann Auxiliary. Dorothy drove a school bus for the Corning School District for eleven years. Dorothy owned and operated Dee Jay Cheese for eighteen years in her home. She loved children. When she became a widow the last time, her life was all about her family.
Left to cherish Dorothy’s memory is her son: Harvey (Dixie) Peterson of Corning, Iowa and her daughter Linda Johnson of Griswold, Iowa; daughter-in-law: Angie Connard of Granger, Iowa; step son; Dean Fife of Omaha, Nebraska; step daughter-in-law: Bobbette Fife of Corning, Iowa; six grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; four step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; one step-great-great grandchild. sister-in-law: Jo Willett of Cape Coral, Florida; and many other relatives and friends.
Preceding Dorothy in death were her parents; three husbands; Infant son, Max Harvey Peterson; her son, Ted Strait; Infant grandson, Bradley Strait; two brothers: Richard and Charlie Willett; son-in-law, Phil Johnson; daughter-in-law; Karen Peterson; sister -in-law: Delores Willett; stepsons Duane and David Fife; and step grandson; Phillip Fife.