On March 13, 2014 Dort left us to check on Bruce. Dorothea was born on December 29, 1921 in Flandreau, South Dakota. Her parents were Cecil L. and Catherine L. (Taylor) Rahn. Her parents were born and raised in the Flandreau area. Because of economic conditions and employment opportunities of the time Dorothea spent most of her formative years living with her grandparents, Charles and Emma (Morgan) Rahn. Dorothea had no siblings but was raised in a large, active household. Her youth in Flandreau was spent going to school, enjoying friends and swimming or canoeing the Sioux River. She developed and continued through her life a deep fondness for dogs, cats, horses, birds and even had a pet coyote. She graduated High School from Flandreau in 1939. Dorothea met her to be husband when she was in the second grade at Chamberlin grade school and then again at Wiese's wedding dance. Six weeks later C. Bruce and Dorothea were married, June 4, 1941. They moved to the Chamberlin Family Farm west of Flandreau and had three children, Charles Bruce, Susan Lee and Kay. Dorothea was a stay-at-home wife and mother for the years while on the farm. Dorothea and Bruce were a good 'team' as Bruce would think of things to be done or see things he would like to do and Dorothea had the organization skills and temperament to get things done. The Chamberlin household was usually full as Bruce and Dort had many "temporary children". Many choir members, missionaries, people having difficult times, and a lot of students kept Dort busy. The house was blessed with people from all kinds of backgrounds, Midwestern, African, Mexican, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Australian, European. She was a great cook and played a competitive number of games. Some might call her a 'cutthroat" opponent. Dort stayed in contact with a number of these people – primarily through letters. Dort had a reputation for writing humorous rhymes, great letters, and for her thoughtful gifts. She continued this even after her stroke leaving her a one handed typist. Dort and Bruce were good friends to many and were blessed with many wonderful neighbors and friends. Dort was not much of an 'organization' person but had great organizational skills and was willing to do any task put in front of her. Bruce and Dort left the farm after Bruce had some health issues. They looked for a retirement home in a variety of southern areas but chose to return to and retire in Sioux Falls. Dort did a number of volunteer jobs. The majority of her volunteer hours (in the tens of thousands) were spent at Sioux Valley (Sanford) Hospital. She and Bruce were awarded the Jefferson award in 1991. Those seemed to be the happiest years of her life. After 2003, due to health issues Dort, Bruce and Susan shared a home in Sioux Falls until their move to Riverview in Flandreau at the end of July 2013. Dorothea remained a 'force to be reckoned with" to the end.

Dort is survived by two daughters, Susan Lee Chamberlin, Sioux Falls, Kay (Jim) Brown, Omaha, 2 grandsons, Charles "Mac" (Jessica) Scofield, Sioux Falls, Thomas (Stephanie) Scofield, Miami, FL and 4 great-grandsons, Sam, Jack, Gabe and Finn. Dort was preceded in death by her husband Bruce, son Charles, parents and many friends.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church with burial in Union Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 - 7 pm Monday at Skroch Funeral Chapel with a 7 pm prayer service.