Dorothea Felton

As one of the final Charter Members of Salem Lutheran Church in Inguadona Township, MN, Dorothea Louise Felton passed away at Grand Itasca Hospital in Grand Rapids on September 18, 2019, at the age of 98. Dorothea was born the fourth of five daughters to John and Josephine (Beck) Vangen July 8, 1921, in Remer, Minnesota. The homestead was on Lake Inguadona. John, together with a group of other Norwegians built the original Salem on adjoining property where the Cemetery is now located.

Dorothea’s life was firmly instilled with faith, love of family, and service to others at a very early age. At the age of ten, Dorothea began helping her older sisters as their children were born. After her senior year in high school and graduation in Henning, she took Country School Teachers Training. The next two years were spent living with sister, Alverna, and teaching at the Dorholt school. Then came WW2 and after time working for Hallmark in Kansas City, she returned to Longville after living with Berneill in Emmons.

In August and September, 1942, she was hired to assist Bud and Marion Edwards after their 8th baby was due. Cooking, canning fruit and vegetables, and laundry were all hard work but things she was used to doing.

While working at Fuller’s store, she met Corwin (Cork) Felton, a young veteran was searching for work socks. The socks were great as that encounter resulted in marriage six months later and lasted 60 years. David, Beverly, and Patty were welcomed into the new house at Wabedo.
Unknown to Dorothea, Cork and his father purchased land in Longville and made arrangements to move both existing houses “as is” to the new sites. An orange that was on the countertop never missed a beat as it was still there at the end of the trip!

Dorothea had a very active life while raising three children and taking orders for the family business, “Ralph Felton & Sons”. Additionally, a Sunday School teacher, substitute elementary school teacher, Kego Township Clerk for 49 years, participation in all Salem Council positions as well as choir, Circle, and quilting that were all a part of her life.

Dorothea was preceded in death by her husband, Cork in 2006; her parents, John and Josephine Vangen; all four sisters and brothers-in-law: Alverna & George Anderson, Thelma & Dick Spanjer, Berneill & Clifford Ranheim and Helen & Harold Carpenter; Corwin’s parents, Ralph & Lois Felton; Corwin’s sister, Helen and brother-in-law, Russ Nyvall; and Corwin’s sister-in-law, Donna Felton; and many, many beloved relatives and wonderful friends.

Left to carry on without Dorothea are her children: David and wife, Sara, Beverly and Patty; granddaughter, Christie and great granddaughter, Elizabeth; brother-in-law, Fritz Felton; many nephews and nieces; pretend adopted son, Cory; and a world of many, many friends.

In Dorothea’s own words: “I’d like to be remembered as a caring Christian wife and mother who loved her entire family and friends. I loved all children and enjoyed my years of teaching Sunday School and public school. I also pray I made many people happy with my baking.”

Services will be held at Salem Lutheran Church in Longville at 11am with visitation an hour prior to the service on Saturday, September 28. Burial will follow at Salem’s Inguadona Cemetery. A lunch will be served at Salem following the service. In lieu of flowers feel free to opt to designate a memorial to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are with Kline Funeral Home, Pine River.