1933-2024
Effie Dorothea Wristen, known affectionately as Dorothea to her friends and family, passed away peacefully from natural causes on June 9, 2024, in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Born on Sept. 16, 1933, in Linden, Dallas County, Iowa, to the late Jennie Parton Knapp and Carl Knapp, Dorothea’s life was a tapestry woven with love, dedication and a passion for the simple joys of life.
Dorothea’s journey began in the heartland of Iowa, where she was raised on a century farm that would shape her love for nature and the outdoors. Her formative years in Linden were marked by the strong bonds she formed with her family, who remember her as a spirited and thoughtful presence in their lives.
Throughout her life, Dorothea was known for her culinary talents, which she shared generously with those around her. Her career included stints as a cook at the former Oscar Mayer plant in Perry and at the police academy in Des Moines. Dorothea’s delectable treats were the highlight of family gatherings, and her knack for creating warmth and community around the dinner table was unparalleled.
Dorothea was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She is survived by her son-in-law, Dave Shelley; daughter, Gina DeLong; granddaughter, Nicole Ford; granddaughter, Shaelynn Shelley; and her brother and sister-in-law, George and Judy Knapp. She was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Audrey Knapp; her sister, Joan Pottroff; and her ex-husband, Robert Wristen. Her legacy will also live on through her numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews, who will forever cherish her memory.
Dorothea’s interests were as varied as they were heartfelt. In her later years, she relocated to Sierra Vista to live with her niece, where she became the beloved lap of special needs and foster cats and dogs. Her recliner by the window became her sanctuary, a place where she could indulge in her love for the natural world, observing the beauty of the yard with its trees, flowers, birds, and the antics of an ornery squirrel. Dorothea’s caregivers often marveled at her keen eyesight and remarkable memory, as she meticulously counted and reported on the various avian visitors, with a particular fondness for the cardinals, pyrrhuloxia, and the numerous hummingbirds that frequented her view.
The words that best describe Dorothea are spirited, thoughtful and gentle. Her spirit was a beacon of joy and kindness, touching the lives of all who knew her. She approached life with a thoughtfulness that endeared her to many, always taking the time to listen, to care, and to offer a helping hand. Her gentle demeanor was a testament to her inner strength and grace, qualities that remained with her until her final days.
Graveside services will be 3 p.m., Sunday, June 16, 2024, at West Linn Cemetery, near Linden. Visitation will be Sunday, June 16, 2024, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora.