Obituary for Dorothy A Oliver (Thiede)
Dorothy A. Oliver, age 91, of Elgin passed away early Sunday morning, February 26, 2023, at her home. Dorothy was born in Elgin on January 1, 1932, and was the daughter of the late William & Laura (nee Heidmann) Thiede. Dorothy was the first baby born in Illinois in 1932. She was a devout lifelong Missouri Synod Lutheran. Dorothy was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in East Dundee, a charter member and Sunday School Superintendent of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, and then became a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elgin for nearly 60 years. Dorothy was a 1949 graduate of Dundee Community High School.
Dorothy began twirling the baton at the age of 7 under the direction of Major Booth of the Chicago Board of Trade Drum and Bugle Corps. By the age of 12, Dorothy owned her own school of baton twirling. During the next decade, Dorothy’s High Steppers enrolled more than 200 students. She was also a member of the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps, where she met her first husband, Richard Lehman. Dorothy was nationally known as a drum majorette and baton twirler and won the distinguished Leonard Trophy in 1948. She performed many times at Soldier Field and in New York City, Dorothy was also a member of Beta Sigma Pi Sorority.
In 1967, Dorothy began a long and distinguished career in Banking. She began her career part-time as a bank teller at Elgin Federal Savings & Loan Association. She worked her way up to branch manager, loan officer, and finally Vice President. Dorothy retired from the West Dundee branch in 2007 at the age of 75 after 40 years of loyal and dedicated service.
Dorothy is Survived by her son, John (Pamela) Lehman; her daughter, Mary (Peter) Ward; her former daughter-in-law, Janet Lehman; her four grandchildren: Kristin (Brian) Woehrle, Eric (Erica) Lehman, Rebekah (Jeffrey) Arndt, and Samuel Ward; and her seven great-grandchildren: Abigail, Molly, Eli, Paige, Brenna, Emilia, and Talia. Dorothy was preceded in death by her father in 1953, her mother in 1991, and her husband, Frank Oliver in 1994.
Funeral Services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church 115. N Spring Street in Elgin on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 11:00 A.M.. Burial will follow at the River Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in West Dundee. Visitation will be held at Miller Funeral Home in West Dundee on Monday, February 27, 2023, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. and again on Tuesday morning at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers. Memorial in her name may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.millerfuneralhomedundee.com For information, please call 847-426-3436
Dorothy began twirling the baton at the age of 7 under the direction of Major Booth of the Chicago Board of Trade Drum and Bugle Corps. By the age of 12, Dorothy owned her own school of baton twirling. During the next decade, Dorothy’s High Steppers enrolled more than 200 students. She was also a member of the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps, where she met her first husband, Richard Lehman. Dorothy was nationally known as a drum majorette and baton twirler and won the distinguished Leonard Trophy in 1948. She performed many times at Soldier Field and in New York City, Dorothy was also a member of Beta Sigma Pi Sorority.
In 1967, Dorothy began a long and distinguished career in Banking. She began her career part-time as a bank teller at Elgin Federal Savings & Loan Association. She worked her way up to branch manager, loan officer, and finally Vice President. Dorothy retired from the West Dundee branch in 2007 at the age of 75 after 40 years of loyal and dedicated service.
Dorothy is Survived by her son, John (Pamela) Lehman; her daughter, Mary (Peter) Ward; her former daughter-in-law, Janet Lehman; her four grandchildren: Kristin (Brian) Woehrle, Eric (Erica) Lehman, Rebekah (Jeffrey) Arndt, and Samuel Ward; and her seven great-grandchildren: Abigail, Molly, Eli, Paige, Brenna, Emilia, and Talia. Dorothy was preceded in death by her father in 1953, her mother in 1991, and her husband, Frank Oliver in 1994.
Funeral Services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church 115. N Spring Street in Elgin on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 11:00 A.M.. Burial will follow at the River Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in West Dundee. Visitation will be held at Miller Funeral Home in West Dundee on Monday, February 27, 2023, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. and again on Tuesday morning at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers. Memorial in her name may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.millerfuneralhomedundee.com For information, please call 847-426-3436