Dora Weiher

“Life is not a problem to be solved but a gift to be enjoyed.” This quote was found with Dora Mae’s keepsakes in her own handwriting. It certainly describes her approach to life. That life began on November 2, 1925 in the bedroom of the home where she later lived on County Road 23 in Wing River Township, Rural Verndale. She writes in her memory book that her mother put the first paint on the walls of that home. In 1949 when Bob & Dora Mae purchased that same home, her mother came and helped her scrape off the many subsequent layers of paint and wallpaper. Her parents were Mary & Floyd (Dearholt) Hess. She always bragged that she never fought with her sisters – not such a big accomplishment considering she only had brothers Donald, Richard and Douglas. She attended District #2 County School from Grades 1 thru 8 and Verndale Public School for Grades 9 thru 12. In Country School she enjoyed the recess games – especially football. Her mother made her a new coat with fur collar and cuffs. During one football game the opposing team took her new collar and cuffs and threw them up in a tree. They said they would climb up and get them if Dora Mae’s team would concede the game. No way she said and went home without them. She was quite surprised to learn that her mother had a different opinion. She graduated from High School as the Salutatorian of her class and got a job at the Verndale Bank. Dora Mae met her future husband Robert Henry Weiher when she was 13 and he was 15. She said he was the tallest, best looking guy around and he liked me. Robert served in the Army for 30 months in Amzio Beachhead, Italy and was discharged in October of 1945. They were married on March 15th, 1946 in the home of Rev. Youngblood in Bertha, MN. Six children were born to this union – the first, Roberta Elaine was stillborn. She was followed by Judy, Linda, Robert, James and finally baby Jay. Dora Mae wrote in her memory book that they were all hard workers and are good parents now. Dora Mae was the bookkeeper for Bob’s construction business and later worked as the drive up teller at the First National Bank in Wadena. She achieved a measure of fame when she foiled a bank robbery at the First National Bank. After her retirement from the bank she worked at the Wadena Medical Center in the medical records department and was a foster grandparent volunteer at the Verndale School . Most of her free time was devoted to activities at Hope Chapel and service to others. She was the Treasurer for the Sunday School, the Missions program, and the Ladies Aide. She was a member of the Hope Chapel Alliance Christian Women’s group and participated in a neighborhood Bible study. She served on the Wing River Township Board and the Camp Jim Board for many years. She made quilts for her family, raised a big garden and fed her family and many others from the fruits of her labor. She was an avid deer hunter and pursued this activity locally and on many hunting expeditions to other states. She was famous for her donut parties that she usually held to celebrate her brother Doug’s birthday around Christmas time. She was the first to help anyone in need. Many words of encouragement were penned as she took on the task of getting the church bulletin to any regular attendee who missed a Sunday Service. The bulletin came with a personal message from her to let the recipient know they were missed. She faithfully prayed for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, her friends and family. She peacefully let go of her children’s hands and grasped the hand of Jesus just before midnight on December 12, 2010. She has rejoined her family who preceded her in death – Her parents Floyd and Mary Hess; her husband Robert on May 20, 1998; her daughter Roberta Elaine; her brother Richard E. Hess. She is survived by her children Judy Ann (Dennis) White of Verndale, MN; Linda Joan (Steve) Fry of Auburn, CA; Robert John (Pat) Weiher of Verndale; James Lee (Lori) Weiher of Pagosa Springs, CO; Jay Edwin (Danelle) Weiher of Verndale. Grandma Darlin (as she was known to the grandchildren) left behind her beloved 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Also survived by her brothers Donald (Margaret) Hess and Doug (Jo) Hess. Found among her treasures was this Bible verse in her own handwriting: Search me oh God; and know my heart, try me, and know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Funeral services were held on December 16, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at Hope Chapel in rural Verndale, with Reverend Neal Malcore, Pastor John Weiher and Reverend Dennis Gordon officiating. Pallbearers were Dora Mae’s grandchildren April Buchanan, Kimberly White, Rebecca White, Nathan Fry, Tyler Fry, Amber Fry, Robert “Bugs” Weiher, John Weiher, Cassie McGrane, Katrina Brinton, Beau Weiher, Britne Weiher, and Daniel Weiher. Interment was in Greenlawn Cemetery in Verndale.

Dora Weiher

November 2, 1925 - December 12, 2010