Not Gone…. Just Gone Ahead
Dorothy House
March 17, 1930-August 7, 2026
“To make a long story short…” (her familiar introduction to a recalled memory) the story of Dorothy (Dottie) House lasted 96 years and embraced her husband of 73 years, family, friends, faith, and learning.
Growing up on a farm in Scott County during the Depression, she learned the values of hard work, self-sufficiency, helping a neighbor (and being helped), making family out of friends, finding satisfaction in simple things.
Dottie met Bud House in high school, where she was an outstanding student. They married in 1950 and within six years welcomed daughters Anne, Kathy, and Mary into their life. With her aptitude for numbers, she enjoyed bookkeeping for a business she shared with Bud. Customers became friends.
A “can-do” woman, Dottie could give a perm or advice, heal a wound or a broken heart, rescue a recipe gone awry or a daughter finding home, save soap slivers and friendships, collect recipes and memories (hers and others’), teach needlework and how to work.
When a daughter was asked soon after Dottie’s passing, “What did your mom like to do?” she replied, “Love people.” Her love was lavish, especially for Bud, her children and grandkids, and her many friends, most she outlived. She was humble except to brag about her family. Grandkids learned the meaning of the phrase, “You make my buttons pop!” If you knew her, you likely received a note in tiny penmanship, expressing congratulations, sympathy or thanks. She kept the U.S. Postal Service in business.
Last year, she learned she was in heart failure. Yes, that organ failed, but the love that filled it lives on in the lives she held close.
Those lives include her children, Anne and Jim Afdahl and Kathy and Dan Kvinge; grandchildren Andy and Amy Afdahl, Michael and Amanda Afdahl, Martha and Chris Thomas, John and Holly Kvinge, David and Andrea Afdahl, Anne Kvinge, 14 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, friends, and her, beloved care givers at Waverly Gardens.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bud, daughter Mary, and sister Mary Dengler.
The celebration of Dottie’s life will be Thursday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m., with visitation at 10 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, (500 W. LeClaire Road, Eldridge). A luncheon will follow. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery. Chambers Funeral Home of Eldridge is assisting the family with arrangements. A memorial service in Minnesota will be held on Sept. 11.
If a memorial gift is planned, it may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church, Waverly Gardens Foundation (5919 Centerville Road, North Oaks, MN 55127), or PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization) Chapter GW.
Condolences may be expressed to the family by viewing her obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.
“I have learned how to be content with whatever I have... I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:11-13
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