Dorothy was born on April 20, 1931, in Luverne, Minnesota, the daughter of Vernon and Lennie (Yonk) Vandermoon. Her family moved to a farm near Manlius, Illinois, and she graduated from Manlius High School.
Dorothy married Howard L. Dorathy on March 1, 1950, in Prophetstown. They began their lives together farming near Yorktown, Illinois, before moving to San Jose, California, and later Phoenix, Arizona. They returned to Illinois, both taking employment with Chrysler Corporation. Briefly residing in Belvidere, the couple then built a home in Rockford, greatly enjoying the company of neighbors.
Dorothy and Howard shared a love of traveling. Dorothy was particularly fond of casino visits. She had a great zest for living and was much admired for her sense of style and elegance, as well as her shopping insights.
Dorothy and Howard did not have children of their own, but there are ten nieces and nephews that she called her children.
Howard passed away on September 22, 2001.
Dorothy married her second husband, James “Jim” Carlson, on September 9, 2012. Dorothy and Jim had met while attending high school together, and as she made a visit to The Villages in Florida, they resumed their earlier acquaintance. Dorothy and Jim were married until he died on November 17, 2022.
Survivors include one sister, Janet Clementz of Sterling, Illinois, as well as the nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Lois Fox and Charlotte Blackert, as well as two brothers, Clifford and Veral Vandermoon.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 21, 2026, at Riverside Cemetery in Prophetstown.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial can be made to a charity of your choice in her memory.
Arrangements were completed by the McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls.
