Dorothea Wanders, 89, of New Sharon, passed away Saturday morning, Apr. 27, 2024, at her home in New Sharon under hospice care. Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 1, at Lighthouse Church in New Sharon. Burial was in Friends Cemetery in New Sharon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Pella Comfort House.
Dorothea Barthea Newendorp, daughter of Walter John and Marie Louise Dorothea (Groenendyk) Newendorp, was born May 31, 1934, at their home west of Oskaloosa, near Leighton. Dorothea grew up on a farm with her four siblings Wilbur, Beulah, Louise, and John. She attended Old West Weaver Country School. Dorothea graduated eighth grade in 1948. In the early 1950s, Dorothea worked at Mercy Hospital in Oskaloosa as a nurse’s aide. During this time, she met Dwight Wanders while attending a church function. After two years of dating, Dwight and Dorothea married Feb. 14, 1957, at Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton. To this union, six children were born: Julia, Steven, Gary, Laurel, Mary, and Marcia. They lived and farmed in Leighton and Sully before settling on a farm south of Barnes City. Dorothea enjoyed being a homemaker and helping Dwight on the farm. She drove the tractor while baling hay and was always ready to lend a hand doing chores. She always had coffee time ready.
Dorothea loved people. She loved to visit daily with family and friends and was a member of the neighborhood Happy-Go-Lucky Club. Some of her hobbies included gardening and canning. Her greatest joys were crocheting and cross-stitching blankets for her grandchildren and great-grand-children. She was a collector of cookbooks and enjoyed making cookies and bars for family gatherings. She treasured her family and enjoyed every moment with them. Dorothea cleaned houses and was a substitute cook at North Mahaska School for many years. She was a lifelong member of Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. She recently attended Lighthouse Church in New Sharon and Heart of Worship Church in Lynnville.
Dorothea’s memory will be honored by her children and families: Julia (Randy) Pitman and their two children Regina (Joe) Eiben and their daughters Maleigh, Nora, Vayda, and Brice (Kendra) Pitman and their daughters Korrinn and Grace; Steven (Lisa) Wanders and their two sons Nathan Wanders and daughter Harleigh and Brandon (Jesi) Wanders and children Kalynn Wanders, Haylee Walters, and Wyllie Walters; Gary (Lana) Wanders and four children Ethan (Keelie) Wanders, Abbie (Mike) Brown and their sons Grant and Grady, Ann (Paul) Sauter and their children Halle, Perri, Lyal, Amara (Andy) Mart and their children Lyndi, Olsen, and Malcom; Laurel Wanders; Mary Jo (Randy) DeBruin and children Brynna (Jake) Vande Noord and their children Lauren, Brooklyn, and Jackson, Carly (Nolan Navara) Steele and their daughter Reese, Kelsie (Ryan) Parton and their daughter Korbyn, Kiegan (Colin) Watts and their children Maverick, Bodhie, and Jax; Marcia (Tim) Rodibaugh and their sons Mason (Dakotah Bokhoven) Rodibaugh and Preston Rodibaugh. Dorothea is also survived by sisters-in-law Gladys Newendorp, Karen Newendorp, and Wanda Vande Krol, and brother-in-law John Van Woerkom.
Dorothea was preceded in death by her husband Dwight Wanders; her sisters Beulah (Dormand) Arkema and Louise Van Woerkom; and brothers Wilbur Newendorp and John Newendorp; brothers-in-law Henry Wanders and Robert Vande Krol; son-in-law Tom Sheets; and great-granddaughter Tessa Sauter.
