Dorothy M. Abbott, 88, of Morrison, IL, died Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at Resthave Home in Morrison.
Dorothy Marie Abbott (nee Behrens) was born May 8, 1927, in Sterling, IL, as the second child of Elmer August and Marie Mensch Behrens of rural Rock Falls, IL. She was educated at the Allpress Country school and graduated from Rock Falls Community High School.
Before she married, Dorothy worked as a secretary at the Stone Insurance Agency in Rock Falls. After her two daughters were born, she returned to the work force and spent 25 years in the admissions office at Morrison Community Hospital. After her retirement, she enjoyed working at jewelry stores in Morrison, Clinton, IA, and Sterling.
Dorothy met her husband, Ed, as a member of the Rural Youth Organization in Whiteside County. They married on February 6, 1955, in Sterling at St. John’s Lutheran Church, after which they made their home on the Abbott family farm west of Morrison. In addition to her off-farm work, Dorothy also raised chickens, made a home for her family, and supported their many activities.
Although she lived her entire life in Whiteside County, Dorothy traveled to every county fair in Illinois with her husband. She was a vital, behind-the-scenes support to running both the Treasurer and Publicity offices at the Whiteside County Fair when her husband held those positions, as well as the annual State Convention and banquet of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs. The couple also served as docents for the Morrison Historical Society.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, Ed, of Morrison, and two daughters, Susan (Jerry) Gidel of Chicago, IL, and Jan (Brett) Landow of Louisville, KY. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Bob and Donald, all of Rock Falls.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 27, 2015, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
VISITATION: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, December 26, 2015, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
INTERMENT: Cottonwood Cemetery, Morrison, IL
Memorials may be made to Morrison Community Hospital or the Whiteside County Fair Association.