Dorothy Ashenfelter

With a life that was overflowing with love, Dorothy Ashenfelter was a woman who was not only a loving mother and wife, she was also filled with determination and drive. She was a woman of faith who fully devoted herself to caring for the husband and children the good Lord bestowed upon her and in doing so, she found her greatest joy. Although life was not without hardship for Dorothy, she carried herself with gentleness, graciousness, and humility that provide us all with so much to aspire for. Throughout her long and fruitful life, Dorothy created a beautifully woven tapestry of memories that will forever remain near and dear to the hearts of those who were so blessed to have been touched by such an extraordinary woman.

Few would argue that the 1920s were a time like no other. Innovation and technology were taking us places we had never been and prosperity was the dominant force. We were delighted to see the completion of the Wrigley Building and the Lincoln Memorial in 1922, and this was the same year that the Nineteenth Amendment passed giving women the right to vote. Amidst this exciting year there was great cause for celebration for one young family from Riley Township, Michigan, since they were pleased to announce the birth of their precious baby girl. Dorothy was welcomed into the loving arms of her parents, Raymond and Lucille (Forbis) Chant, and was the oldest of three children in her family including her sister, Mary, and her brother, Lee. Both of her parents worked hard to support their family and during the Great Depression of the thirties, this was no easy feat.

In order to survive during these trying times, children often came alongside their parents and Dorothy was no exception. She worked hard all week with the promise of seeing the free show in nearby DeWitt, but this rarely came to fruition. There was room for fun in the Chant family, too, and with a heart for animals, Dorothy loved to visit Muskrat Lake. She escaped there as often as she could, regularly bringing home ducklings and even a baby raccoon. Their extended family lived nearby so holidays often found Dorothy playing euchre and poker with her cousins.

Although her father didn’t feel education was necessary for girls, Dorothy attended local schools. When she made the transition to high school she was completely overwhelmed because her education up until that point had taken place in a one-room schoolhouse. When she fell with a lantern and badly injured her hand, Dorothy’s extensive recovery caused her to miss so much school that her graduation was delayed by one year. In 1942 she went to work for REO Motors in Lansing in order to earn money for her training as a nurse.

Life took an unexpected turn when Dorothy met the man with whom she would share an enduring love. His name was William Ashenfelter and they met after he came to Lansing from Toledo looking for work. There was an instant attraction between Dorothy and William that neither could deny and after just four weeks, the couple eloped and became husband and wife on February 27, 1943, in Temperance, Michigan.

Not long after becoming husband and wife, the newlyweds were separated when William was drafted and sent overseas to serve his country during WWII. After they were reunited, they settled near her birthplace where they raised their two precious girls, Shirley and Sandra. Dorothy and William farmed and became increasingly more interested in wild and domestic waterfowl and poultry. As a Master Breeder and waterfowl judge, she raised all types of exotic animals, mynah birds, hookbills, and peacocks and emus, too.

There were additional interests that Dorothy enjoyed pursuing when she had the time. She was a lifetime member of Radiant Chapter 79 of the Eastern Star and also a member of the ladies auxiliary with the VFW. Dorothy fully enjoyed the fellowship and friendships she established as a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church.

As the years passed by, there were both peaks and valleys along Dorothy’s journey. She retired from Saylor-Beall in St. Johns and their retirement years provided the couple with the opportunity to travel around the country. They traveled to many national waterfowl shows for her judging expertise and awards. Dorothy was understandably devastated with the death of her beloved husband in 1990. However through her faith and the love of her family, she found the courage to embrace each new day. Dorothy went on to live several years on her own and by the time her 80th birthday rolled around, she was delighted to celebrate the day with a surprise party with over 100 family and friends in attendance.

Dorothy Ashenfelter was one who embraced the notion that life is a gift to be cherished each day as reflected in the life she lived. She wholeheartedly loved her family and friends and had a passion for showing her interests and hobbies to others. With a life that spanned both easy and hard times, days of great elation and deep sorrows, Dorothy leaves behind lessons in resilience, compassion, and determination that the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who follow her will be proud to carry on. She will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Dorothy M. Ashenfelter died peacefully at home on February 15, 2011. Dorothy’s family includes her daughters, Shirley (Lyle Huguelet) Rasmussen-Huguelet and Sandra (Eugene Wong, M.D.) Ashenfelter-Wong; grandchildren, Mark and Eric Rasmussen and Alexander and Sarah Wong; 4 great-grandchildren; brother, Lee (Linda) Chant; and special caregiver, Janet Currie. Along with her husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by her grandson, Kirk Rasmussen; great-granddaughter, Samantha Rasmussen; and sister, Mary Deshotel.

As per her wishes, Dorothy is being cremated and a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 26, 2011, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, officiated by Pastor Jeffrey Heimsoth. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com/memories/66707 where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to St. Peter Lutheran Church or the Clinton County Meals-on-Wheels. Services provided by Osgood Funeral Homes.