Dortha Susan Johnston
Dortha Johnston, age 100 and 6 days, passed away January 18, 2013 at the Legacy Lodge Hospice in Chariton. Services will be Friday, January 25, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton with family receiving friends one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the Grace Baptist Church Mission Fund. Dortha Susan Clark was born January 12, 1913 to her parents Melvin and Mabel (Dunshee) Clark on their farm near Ackworth, IA. She was the eldest of 4 children. Her brothers, James Duane and Beryl Lowell were killed in WWII; Paul died as an infant. She graduated from Chariton High School, class of 1931. She attended Iowa Teachers College and taught 12 years in Lucas and Polk County Rural Schools. After teaching she held the office of Lucas County Recorder for two terms. She married Virgil Sandahl Dec. 1, 1946. He called her Dottie. They moved to Fort Morgan, CO for his health. He transferred from the Lucas County Post Office where he had a rural route to one in Fort Morgan, Colorado. Her parents moved from Chariton to live near them in Colorado. She cared for her parents until their deaths in 1965 and 1967. Virgil died in 1969 at the age of 60. In...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
75 she returned to Chariton, IA. She was united in marriage with Glenn Johnston on July 20, 1975 at the Salem Church. He died in 1991 at the age of 76. Dortha had accepted Christ as her Savior early in her life and throughout her life enjoyed teaching Sunday school classes. She had a big heart for missionaries and was a loyal supporter. In addition to caring for her parents she nursed both husbands with cancer, and cared for her step-daughter, Justine. She had many friends who enjoyed her hospitality. She enjoyed setting a fine table with home cooked food for relatives and friends. Dortha was a kind and thoughtful person, in addition to caring for her parents she nursed both husbands with cancer, and cared for her step-daughter, Justine. Dortha was secretary to the County Superintendent of Schools and later Secretary to the Christian Fellowship and Gospel Literature Mission of India. She attended The Better Homes Club for several years with her cousin and friend, Esther Belle Karn. For several years she attended The Chariton Bible Church before moving to Colorado and after returning to Iowa. After it closed, she attended The Grace Baptist Church with her cousin Betty Lou and Marvin Pierschbacher. She enjoyed their family as her own. Dortha also enjoyed Tony's and Judge Johnston's families. She was a seamstress, crocheted, and made many crafty things that she liked to give as gifts. Dortha passed away January 18, 2013 at the Legacy Lodge Hospice in Chariton at the age of 100 years and 6 days. Preceding her in death were her husbands: Virgil Sandahl and Glenn Johnston; her parents: Melvin and Mabel Clark; stepdaughter, Justine Gillette, brothers: James Duane, Beryl Lowell, and Paul; and her cousin Betty Pierschbacher. Surviving are a niece, Ruth Alteneder and her family; stepson JR Johnston; step grandchildren: Judge, Jason, and Josie Johnston, and Tony Marts; her cousin Evalee Hunerdosse; and many relatives and friends.
