Dorothy Elizabeth Miesse was born July 6, 1919, in Marion, to Orville and Clara Gaunt Miesse.

She was the eldest of five children. Dorothy attended school in Marion and graduated from high school in 1937. She furthered her education at Tabor College and Kansas State Teachers College. After her college education, she taught for two years in rural Dickerson School in Marion County.

Dorothy then moved to Wichita and worked in the offices of the Wichita Livestock Commission. It was in Wichita she met her future husband, Richard Wayne Varenhorst. They married June 8, 1941, in Marion Christian Church. The two established a home in Wichita until Wayne was drafted into the Army in 1943. Dorothy remained in Wichita, working at the Innes Department Store until the birth of their son, Richard Wayne Varenhorst Jr.

She moved back to Marion to care for Dick and wait for her husband’s return from WWII in 1945. Wayne and Dorothy decided to stay in Marion, and in 1946 the two opened Van’s, a small department store on Main Street.

Over the next few years, the business grew and so did their family. Janet Kay was born in 1949. They expanded Van’s and relocated to a larger, newer building in 1957. Dorothy and Wayne lost almost everything in the flood of 1951; however, Marion and Van’s managed to survive.

In 1968, they expanded once again. Floods continued to plague Marion and in 1971, after cleaning up “flood mud” after yet another flood, Wayne suffered a heart attack and died. Heartbroken, Dorothy continued the business until her retirement in 2000.

Gifted with considerable musical talent, Dorothy was generous in sharing her music through solo work. She was an active member of the Marion Christian Church where she served as choir director for 30 years. She loved the Marion community and enjoyed promoting its growth. She served as chairman of the PRIDE steering committee, and was the first woman elected as president of the Marion Chamber of Commerce. Dorothy was also an active member of many civic clubs and organizations. She was a member of PEO, Eastern Star, Hospital Auxiliary, Red Cross, Marion Arts Council, Marion Investors, Kansas Tourism, and many others. She was chosen as Woman of the Year in 1978 by the Kansas Business and Professional Women’s Association.

Dorothy loved to travel, but her greatest joy in life was her family, especially her grandchildren.

Dorothy was welcomed into the arms of her Savior on Dec. 19, 2010, from the Bethesda Home in Goessel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a brother, Marvin.

She is survived by two brothers, Dr. Burhl Miesse of Collierville, Tenn., and J.B. Miesse of Marion; a sister, Donna Fruechting of Marion; her son, Richard, and his wife, Pam, and her daughter, Janet, and her husband, Chris Killough, all of Marion; her grandson, Garrett Varenhorst, and granddaughters Caitlin Varenhorst, Danielle and her husband Brian Bartelli, Gabrielle and her husband Chris Darrow, and Nicholle Longhofer; her step-grandchildren, Shane, Ryan, and Savannah Killough; her foster grandson, Jordan Timm; eight great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Dorothy’s life was spent being a vital part of the Marion community, and she will be greatly missed.

Services were Dec. 22, 2010, at Marion Christian Church with the Rev. Carl Helm officiating.

A family interment was at Marion Cemetery.

A memorial has been established with the Marion Christian Church Education Fund in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.