Dorothy Marie Gooding

Our beloved Dotty, age 84, was born to Otto and Bertha Staiger in Chicago, IL. Together with her older brother, Howard, Dotty’s early years were centered on Chicago’s Southside Midway neighborhood with its WWII victory gardens and lively German-speaking community. In 1947 they moved their family to Aurora, IL where Dotty attended Junior High and High School.

Dotty attended Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, from which she graduated in 1956.

At Lawrence Dotty quietly accumulated awards for her studies of English literature and her

wonderful talents in writing and began her courtship with “bad boy” Buck Gooding.

On August 4, 1956 Dotty married Ralph Urban Gooding Jr. “Buck” in Aurora, IL, and they began their life as soulmates driving west across the country to Jordan Valley, OR, a largely Basque ranching community, where for two years they were half of the faculty, and where in two years, Dotty started and took a Jordan Valley High School Debate Team to the Oregon State finals.

In 1958, as the first of Dotty and Buck’s three children was born, they returned to Neenah, WI and later moved to Roseville, MN to raise their children Susan, Carol, and David. Throughout their childhoods’, Dotty was completely dedicated to her children, exposing them to literature and the arts, running them to dance or music lessons, and immersing herself in their sports activities. Her score keeping, generosity and humor is legendary among a generation of Roseville Little Leaguers.

In 1970, Dotty restarted her career at Edgerton Elementary School, where she went from classroom aide to permanent library staff, and was instrumental in computerizing the school’s library.

In 1993, after her two decades with the Roseville School District, Dotty and Buck retired

and moved permanently to their cabin on Love Lake that they’d been lovingly and creatively

renovating for years. By then Love Lake had been a destination for visitors that spanned Dotty

and Buck’s lives, and now became a summer destination for their grandchildren, Drew and

Claire, and a haven where family and friends were welcome. She relished watching a

generation of her children’s friends “grow up” at the cabin and eventually bring their own families

to enjoy its treasures.

Dotty wasn’t retired long. She and Buck had many adventures traveling near and far

with friends and family. They were passionate about Forts Folle Avoine, an educational

Historical Park in Burnett County, WI, and Dotty served on the board for 17 years, many of

these as Treasurer. She was key in developing the educational materials in the Karlsborg

School, and successfully wrote a tourism grant for $100,000 that was approved by Governor

Thompson. She also developed and maintained the Annual Giving Fund that has brought over

$100,000 to the Fort, and was especially committed to developing its membership program and

the Fort’s historical exhibits and school/tourist educational programs. To her last days Dotty

treasured her two Webster book clubs, including the Seekers group of which she was a

founding member. Dotty’s wishes were for no formal services at this time, but instead a

Celebration of Life will follow late Spring or early Summer 2020 at Forts Folle Avoine. More

information will be forthcoming via email.

Dotty is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Buck; children, Susan Gooding, Carol (Doug) Gooding Colwell, and David (Mary) Gooding; grandchildren, Andrew and Claire Colwell; brother, Howard (Marilyn) Staiger; nieces, Debbie, Melinda, Lisa, Paula, and Jeanie; and their children.

Dotty was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Bertha; sister-in-law, Ann Pomrenke; and Buck’s parents, Ralph and Thelma.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Forts Folle Avoine, 8500 County Rd U, Danbury, WI 54830, or by visiting the website: theforts.org.

In all her endeavors, Dotty favored conversation and action around the right questions, rather than “right” answers.