Dorothy L. Aldridge

Dorothy L. Aldridge, age 91, of Decorah, IA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 22, 2017 at Wellington Place in Decorah. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2017 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah with Rev. Chad Huebner officiating. A luncheon will follow the service downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 17, one hour before the service, at First Lutheran Church. Dorothy Lewine (Gilson) Aldridge was born on October 10, 1925 in Waukon, Iowa, the daughter of Orrie and Mary (Amundson) Gilson. She was raised on the family farm and educated in the Waukon schools, graduating from Waukon High School. Dorothy was united in marriage to Norman L. Aldridge on February 25, 1972 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Freeport, Illinois. Dorothy and Norman made their home in Decorah. They had also made their home in New Hampton, Iowa and Las Vegas, Nevada. Dorothy worked in the dry cleaning business and clerked at Fareway and K&S in Decorah. Norm and Dorothy loved to travel and took an annual fishing trip to Canada with her sister and brother-in-law, Pete and Myrtle Drahn. They loved to dance and followed the big bands. They belonged to Oneota Golf and Country Club, and she golfed in many states. She was cared for by the wonderful staff at Wellington Place since January 2013. Dorothy is survived by her husband Norman of Decorah; two sisters-in-law, Marlene (Del) Prout of Anamosa, Iowa and Joanne (Lloyd) Vestal of Centralia, Illinois; and by many nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters: Myrtle Drahn, Delores Steiner, Carol Reeder and Norma J. Rosell; and three brothers: Lawrence, John and Dale Gilson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Wellington Place, 2479 River Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101 or First Lutheran Church 604 West Broadway St., Decorah, Iowa 52101.