Dorothy Fern Hess' Obituary
Dorothy Fern Hess passed away April 22, 2012 in her home in Scappoose with her family gathered around her. She was 90 years of age.
Dorothy was born Dorothy Fern Austin on December 25, 1921 to Barrett O'Dillon "Robert" and Bertha Birkholtz Austin of Willow Lake, South Dakota. She was the youngest of seven children in her family.
Dorothy and her family moved to Scappoose in the mid 1930's and her father Robert, or" Bob" was best remembered as the Scappoose Chief of Police a few years later. Dorothy met and later married her lifelong husband Willard on August 10, 1946. He preceded her in death in 1990.
She was best known in the community for being one of the early proprietors of Rose Valley Market in Scappoose. She operated the grocery store and raised her two children, while her husband Willard worked as a long haul truck driver. After the October 1962 wind storm and substantial damage was done to the home and business, the interest waned shortly after the remodel and rebuilding of the business and it was sold.
As time went on she longed to operate another grocery store, and her and husband Willard purchased GrahamsKokarnicks market in South Scappoose. She operated this business for almost 7 years and then eventually selling it and retiring from the grocery business in 1972.
Dorothy and Willard bought and sold several homes and properties in the Scappoose area, finding it fruitful and providing a substantial retirement for them both. She later got involved with selling real estate as a formal occupation in Scappoose, working for realtors, Columbia River Real Estate, Stassens, Stan Wiley, and Empire.
Dorothy is survived by her two sons Barry of Scappoose, and Randy of Saint Helens. Daughters in law, Darlene and Sandi. Grandchildren; Ken DeFrees, Anne Piccolo, Heidi Hess, Jason Hess and RyanHess, great grandchildren; Jordan DeFrees, Elijah DeFrees, Hannah DeFrees, Pyton Piccolo and Cassidy Piccolo.
Remembrances and donations can be made in her name to the Holshiemer-Lamar Animal Shelter in St. Helens.
Services will be held 2:30pm, Saturday, April 28th at Columbia Funeral Home in St. Helens. A reception will follow at the home of Randy and Sandi Hess in Saint Helens.
On-line condolences can be made to the family at; www.columbiafh.com
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