RSSOBITUARIES
Dorothy L. Wertenberger Kissler
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Merritt Funeral Home
ANACORTES - Dorothy Kissler, 90, passed away June 30, 2009 at Island Hospital in Anacortes, WA.
Dorothy was born March 18, 1919 in Ruff, Washington to Henry and Anna Wertenberger, recent Volga German immigrants. She moved with her family to the Yakima Valley in 1924. They settled in Wapato and Dorothy attended Wapato schools.
In 1936 she married Daniel Kissler, also a first generation child of Volga German immigrants. They farmed in Toppenish, Quincy and George areas from 1937 until 1991. While farming in George from 1967 to 1991, they started the D&D Berry Farm.
Dorothy was a dedicated farmer. She worked with agronomists from WSU testing new fruit and vegetable seeds on the D&D Berry Farm. Always entrepreneurial, new ideas and new ways were welcomed in her life. In the late '40's she took flying lessons from a local crop-dusting pilot. Just a few weeks ago she paid her bills on-line. She mastered life's problems with searching curiosity, tenacity, and hard work. In her long life, she was a great teacher convincing us to "stay curious" and "do our homework."
Dorothy will be remembered as: wife, mother, friend, entertaining hostess, comfort cook, beautiful dancer, inspired gardener, orchardist, playmate, seamstress, reader, candy maker, pinochle master, family historian, piano player, singer, barber, angler, hunter, mechanic, plumber, electrician, accountant, and CEO.
Two sisters and one brother proceeded Dorothy in death.
Dorothy is survived by her three daughters, Barbara Brock of Toppenish, WA, Rebecca Kissler of Vista, CA, and Ellouise Morse of Anacortes, WA; one son Eric Kissler of Quincy, WA; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren, and four great-great- grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society c/o Merritt Funeral Home, 218 West 3rd St., Wapato, WA 98951.
A Graveside service will be held Thursday, July 2, at 2:00 PM at the Reservation Community Memorial Park in Wapato, West Wapato Road. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Merritt Funeral Home.
