Dorothy Arthur

Dorothy was born May 30, 1930, to Elmer and Adeline Seffrood. She graduated from Darlington High School in 1948, and soon after moved to Dodgeville where she joined St. Joseph’s Hospital as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She spent 8 years at the Hospital where she made many life-long friends that were very special to her.  

She and Robert (Bob) Arthur married on October 18, 1958, at West Wiota Lutheran Church and farmed in the area 10 years before moving to the home she and Bob built in Wiota. For over 60 years they were active members of Wiota Lutheran Church. In addition to participating in most all church-related activities she was the Church’s Financial Secretary for 34 years, and during this time also served as the Wiota Township Treasurer for 13 years. After retirement, she and Bob continued to serve the Church together in a custodial role for 9 years.  She also enjoyed her time as a member of the Wiota Happy Homemakers and the Wiota Firemen’s Auxiliary.  

She was an excellent seamstress and managed two large gardens. She enjoyed baking - her two-layer chocolate cake with white fluff frosting, cinnamon rolls served every Sunday after church services, and holiday cinnamon bread were family favorites. She enjoyed traveling – before meeting Bob she found her way to New York, Washington DC, California, and Arizona. And together they traveled to many states, including annual trips to Oregon to visit their son, Alan and his family. She had a fondness for Hawaii and with Bob, traveled there several times.  

By nature, Dorothy was a caretaker. She used this gift while working at the Hospital and in caring for her and Bob’s three children, for three foster children welcomed into their home over a five-year period, and for her mother who lived with them the last eight years of her life. She and Bob together lived a life committed to their faith, family, and the friendships they nurtured. They always gave of their time and expected from life, no more than needed.     

She insisted she stay in her home as long as possible. It was the day-to-day support of her niece and husband, Barbara and Dallas Cecil, and their son, Kyle Cecil, that allowed her to do so for almost 9 years after Bob’s passing in 2012 – for this her family continues to be very grateful. At the time of her passing she was a resident at Dimensions Living Community in Monroe, where she was able to be in the company of others while receiving continual, loving care and support, and under the watchful, tender care of the Agrace Hospice Team who also cared for her over the last 17 months. 

Dorothy/Mom brought a special ‘spark’ to the lives of those who knew her best – that ‘spark’ will be missed.    

Dorothy leaves her children: Kathy Buechel (Doug), Marleen Adams (Rick), and Alan Arthur (Phyllis);  grandchildren: Sara Adams, Lyndsey Newton (Kevin), Ryan Adams (Ashley), Zach Buechel, and Caitlin Arthur; and great grandsons, Calvin and William Adams, and JD Newton. Those she has now joined include her husband; her parents; her father- and mother-in-law, Clarence and Anna Arthur; her brother, sisters-in-laws, and brothers-in-laws, LaVerne and Teresa Seffrood, Bob and Grace Schmid, and Harvey Arthur; many dear Wiota friends; and many extended family and friends with whom she shared regular letters, telephone calls, visits, and memories.  

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Wiota Lutheran Church with Pastor Clayton Faulkner officiating. Burial will be in West Wiota Cemetery. A visitation will be held Saturday, August 2, 2025 from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services at the church. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Wiota Lutheran Church in Dorothy's name are appreciated.