Dorothy was born February 2, 1928, in Vernal, Utah to James Raymond and Ezma “Tess” Siddoway. She was born in the same home and same room as her daddy on North Vernal Avenue, weighing only 4 lbs. The home is still standing today. She was the oldest of three girls and a boy. When she was old enough to start school her parents moved to town and eventually they built a home next door to her grandparents William and Emily Siddoway where she spent many happy hours. She enjoyed high school dances. She especially enjoyed the dresses that were hand made for the Gold and Green Balls.
After high school, Dorothy attended Utah State Agricultural College (currently Utah State University) where she met her sweetheart David Anderson at a fraternity dance. They were married June 2, 1948, in the Salt Lake Temple, with a reception in Vernal at Grandpa and Grandma Siddoway’s home. Following their wedding, Dave went to work for his Dad and Uncle Lorin in the mercantile business, in Homedale, Montana. Two years later, they moved to Miles City, Montana where Dave managed the Anderson’s store for the next 8 years. They lived above the store in an apartment during their time there, where Dorothy took great care in making it beautiful. Her favorite memories in Miles City were when her mom, Beverly, and Jim came to visit.
Dorothy loved dolls and started collecting them while in Miles City. Through the years her doll collection would grow to several hundred of every kind. At one point she owned every Madame Alexander doll ever made.
In 1958 they moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where they opened Ferrell’s Department Store. Dave’s Uncle Lorin had a building lot on Safstrom Ave were they built the only home they ever lived in. Dorothy took a lot of pride in making sure every detail of their home was just right.
In their early years in Idaho Falls, Dorothy and Dave would spend their time enjoying friends, family, the outdoors, and dancing. She was a Pink Lady at the L.D.S Hospital and then Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for 34 years and over 5000 hours.
It was during a Relief Society lesson when she was challenged to fill out her four-generation family chart, that her love and devotion to family history begun. Before she was through, she would create over 70 scrapbooks of family history. Dorothy was proud to be a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of Utah Pioneers and the Mayflower Society.
Dorothy and Dave took the opportunity to travel the world. They also loved to square dance and would often go with their square dancing group to exotic places throughout the world. They both enjoyed working in their beautiful yard and spent many hours together making it a beautiful, peaceful place. Anyone who visited their home and spent time in their yard would attest to the care, detail, and beauty of it. It wasn’t uncommon for them to plant up to 600 plants in one season.
Dorothy was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many church callings including; Secretary in Relief Society, pianist in the M.I.A. and Relief Society, she was a visiting teacher for over 60 years, a Counselor in the Relief Society and both she and Dave were temple workers in the Idaho Falls Temple.
After Dave retired, Dorothy and Dave spent their winters in Mesa, Arizona. They enjoyed the warm weather, going to live performances, square dancing, and exploring the area. Dorothy enjoyed reading, shopping and would look for just the right gift for each family member for their birthdays, Christmas and other holidays. Dorothy was always well dressed, and loved shoes and jewelry. Every photo she was in she looked like a movie star. She was always gracious, always had a tissue in her pocket, always had her lipstick with her, and a small pillbox with Anacin in her purse. Together Dorothy and Dave loved life and lived it.
Family was very important to Dorothy and Dave, and they were constantly attending family reunions, visiting loved ones, and going to their homes, sharing thoughtful gifts and fun stories. She was fiercely loyal to family and friends.
Dorothy’s bond with her sisters Beverly and Marilyn was a bond that would last their entire lives. It was when Beverly passed away suddenly, that Dorothy’s health started to decline. Dave, her loving husband of 70 years, tenderly took care of Dorothy up until the last few days of his life.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved husband David Anderson, her parents Raymond and Ezma “Tess ” Siddoway; her sisters Beverly Merkley and Marilyn Hacking; her in-laws Ferrell and Ethel Anderson; and nephews Tim Reynolds and Mike Murray.
Dorothy is survived by her brother Jim Siddoway; and by nieces and nephews; Wayne (Robyn) Merkley; Linda Murray; Terel (Julie) Merkley; Lisa (Steve) Evans; Jimmy Caldwell; Tara (David) Merkley; Lance (Charmian) Siddoway; Shauni (Mike) Young; J.D. Siddoway; and many great-nieces and nephews each loved dearly by Aunt Dorothy!
We would like to thank all of the family, friends, neighbors and all those at the care center who supported and loved Dorothy.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 2PM at the Maeser 2nd Ward LDS Chapel (2745 North 1500 West). A viewing for family and friends will be held Saturday 12:45-1:45PM at the Church. Interment will be in the Vernal Memorial Park. Services are under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.AshleyValleyFuneralHome.com
