Dorothy A. Boles, 96, of Morrison, IL, passed away Monday, May 6, 2024, at her home.
Dorothy was born June 8, 1927, in Sterling, IL, to Earl J. and Clara (Dettman) Maxwell. She was educated in the Rock Falls, and Sterling, IL, grade schools and was a graduate of Sterling High School. She continued her education at Sauk Valley Community College. Dorothy also took lessons for piano and guitar most of her life. On April 21, 1946, she married Irvin “Farmer” Boles in Rock Falls. He died November 24, 1985. After graduating, Dorothy worked for a while at a watch factory in the Chicago, IL, area. After her marriage Dorothy farmed alongside her husband in the rural Morrison area. She worked as a Secretary and Organist for Bethesda Lutheran Church. She was also the Organist at First Lutheran Church-Jordan in Sterling, for 27 years, and played the organ for weddings and funerals in many other local churches. For several years she volunteered as an Election Judge. She was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Brotherhood. Dorothy was a bookworm, reading up-to-seven books a week. She also enjoyed sewing, music, and bird watching.
Survivors include her daughters, Bonnie (Ted) Huberts of Silvis, IL, and Mary (Larry) Schipper of Morrison; sons, Wayne (Lisa) Boles and Lyle (Terri) Boles, both of Morrison; 13 grandchildren; many great- and great-great grandchildren; sister, Judy (Don) Popowski of Ukiah, CA; son-in-law, Rodney Rose of Chadwick, IL; sister-in-law, Nancy Maxwell of Sterling.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Irvin; one daughter, Geraldine “Gerri” M. Rose; two sons, Robert “Bob” Boles and Richard Boles; one daughter-in-law, Karen Boles; three grandchildren, Edward Boles, Tanya Boles (Callihan) and Theodore Huberts; one sister, Jean Allen; two brothers, Charles Maxwell and Lawrence “Short” Maxwell.
Her Funeral service was held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Morrison, IL, officiated by Rev. Tammy Anderson.
A Visitation was held prior to the funeral, from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service.
Interment was in Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL.
A memorial has been established.