...we had an angel for our mother
Dorothy Jorgensen Wallin, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on the morning of May 5, 2015, of natural causes at age 94. She was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and an example of righteousness, genuine sweetness and patience all of her life, even to the end.
Dorothy was born March 24, 1921, to Ariel Morgan Jorgensen and Mary Hazel Norr in Amalga, Utah, where she lived until she was married. As a girl she participated in the 4-H Club, which kindled her interest in cooking and sewing. Dorothy attended North Cache High School where she was a school band sponsor and yearbook editor. She also attended Utah State University where she graduated in Vocational Home Economics with a teaching certificate in 1943. Following college graduation, she fell in love with ‘the boy who had taught her to dance,' Marvin Wallin, a returned missionary from the Eastern States Mission. They were sealed in the Logan Temple on April 16, 1943. Dorothy returned to her high school to accept a one year teaching contract, after which she joined Marve for a 15 month military assignment in Detroit, Michigan. During his service Dorothy's education allowed her to be employed as a chef's assistant, and to teach nursery school, typing and P.E. It was in Detroit, where triplet boys were born to Dorothy and Marve in 1945, and five more beautiful children followed during their years in Salt Lake City.
Dorothy enhanced her domestic skills in her home, becoming an accomplished seamstress and an expert cook to her family and to many fortunate guests who dined at her table. She sewed much of her children's clothing, especially for the girls, countless costumes and tailor-made many beautiful items. She had a keen interest in having healthy children and they remember her famous ‘Tiger's Milk' with fondness. She loved the outdoors, walking, swimming, tennis, traveling, and enjoyed playing the piano and organ. She also had a lifelong enjoyment of dancing with Marve and often delighted onlookers as they ‘cut up the rug' at weddings, on cruises, and as recently as 2011 when they were 89 and 92, without incident.
Dorothy served faithfully for years in the Primary and was a strong support to her husband in his leadership callings while raising a large family. She had a fervent testimony of God, of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of Joseph Smith and the Restoration. She loved being a mother and strove to teach her family the joy and value of service, work, discipline, honesty and loyalty to their country.
From 1977 to 1980, she and her husband were called to preside over the Australia Adelaide Mission. Dorothy loved this assignment and was beloved as mission mother. For years following their return, they maintained wonderful friendships with people from ‘Down Under.'
She is survived by her eight children: Craig Wallin (Barbara) of Logan, UT; Kent Wallin (Kristine) of Draper, UT; Scott Wallin of Gilbert, AZ; Sherrie Kasteler (Paul) of Salt Lake City, UT; Mark Wallin (Karen) of Logan, UT; Christine Blodgett (Tom) of Salt Lake City, UT; Suzanne Marsh of Bountiful, UT; John Wallin (Marsha) of Sandy, UT. Dorothy's family has grown to 40 grandchildren, 92 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She is also survived by her sister Maxine Lee Boulter (Lynn) of Salt Lake City, UT, and is preceded in death by her husband Marvin (2012), her parents, sister, Carol and grandson, Quinn Morgan Kasteler.
The family would like to thank the staff at Sunrise Senior Living for their loving and attentive care for 3 Ω years.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary at 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.) Sandy, UT at 11:00 am. A viewing will be held on Friday, May 8, 2015, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, and from 10:00 to 10:45 am prior to the funeral. Interment will be at the Larkin Sunset Gardens.
