Dorothy WHETTER

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WHETTER: On July 4, 2012, at the age of 89 years, Dorothy Loreen Whetter (Keeler) died peacefully, holding the hand of her husband and surrounded by her family at the Assiniboine Centre in Brandon after a brief illness with cancer. Dorothy is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Clint, her four children, Dale (Dorothy) Whetter, Glen (Erma) Whetter, Ellen (Robert) Stevenson, and Bernie Whetter, nine grand children, Katherine (Colin) Skibitzky, Michael (Kendra) Whetter, Orlando (Geraldine) Whetter, Corrie Lee (Jaco) Van der Westhuizen, Laura (Joshua) Van Mulligen, Sidney Stevenson, Eva Stevenson, Sarah (Ryan) Boyd, and Ted Whetter, and five great grandchildren, Abbie Whetter, Faith Whetter, Danielle Van der Westhuizen, James Van der Westhuizen, and Callie Lee Van der Westhuizen. She was predeceased by her parents Annie and William Keeler, brother Kenneth Keeler, and sister Reta Clark. Born on December 10, 1922, Dorothy grew up on the farm at Lauder Manitoba. She attended school at the country school of Truro. Dorothy began studying piano at the age of 6 with her mother and then as she advanced, drove by horse and buggy to teachers in Hartney. As a very young woman, Dorothy moved to Winnipeg to attend Western Bible College and continue her piano studies. After completion of her ATCM degree in piano, she returned to Lauder and began her career as a piano teacher, accompanist, and performer. On August 1, 1945, Dorothy married R. J. Clinton Whetter after his return from a successful mission with the RCAF in WWII. Together they farmed at Dand, Manitoba and raised their four children. Dorothy was a devoted and loving partner to Clint, a nurturing and caring mother to her children, a dear and loyal friend to many, and a dedicated community worker. Dorothy and Clint retired from the farm and moved to Boissevain in 2008 and then to Brandon in 2011. Dorothy had a strong Christian faith and she lived her life as a follower of Jesus Christ. She was proud to say that she had read the Bible over 30 times and discovered new enlightenment each time. She took all her joys and sorrows to her Lord in prayer and was always ready to discuss scriptures and share her personal testimony. She welcomed each new day, living it fully, yet had no fear of death as she knew she was going to her eternal home. Dorothy will be remembered for her gift of music. For over 65 years she taught piano to some 260 students, played for Dand United Church for 56 years, accompanied choirs, played for weddings and funerals, entertained at concerts and seniors homes all over South Western Manitoba. Wherever Dorothy went, if there was a piano and an invitation, she was playing her favorite songs and her signature piece “Dizzy Fingers” to the delight of her audience. She was still playing for church services and entertaining dinner guests until May 2012 at their home at Victoria Landing in Brandon. Dorothy’s family, friends, and fans will continue to enjoy her music for years to come on her 2009 CD release “Songs I Love to Play.” After her burial in the Hartney Cemetery, a beautiful service of Thanksgiving was held in Dorothy’s home town at the Lauder Community Hall. Thank you to the wonderful Lauder community for the hall set up and lunch preparation. Thank you to Pastor Joshua Scorgie for officiating, Harold Kuipers for hymn accompaniment and sound system, and Paul Smith of Smith Funeral Home for arrangements. Also thank you to the many family and friends who attended the service, sent cards, phone calls and visitors. The family also expresses their sincere gratitude to Dr. Butler and the staff of the Palliative Care Unit Assiniboine Centre for their care and compassion given to Dorothy and her family during her last days. Donations in Dorothy’s memory may be made to FCE Canada, Box 265 Pierson, MB, R0M 1S0 (mission that granddaughter Corrie Lee is involved with) or a charity of own choice.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 21, 2012