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The Life of DOROTHY REBECCA GRANT

Dorothy Rebecca Grant died on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 at Iowa Lutheran Hospital from complications of a stroke.  Services will be 2 p.m. Monday, January 12,  at Hamilton''s Near Highland Memory Gardens Funeral Home, officiated by family friend, Pastor David Stewart.  Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. prior to services. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, across the street from the funeral home at Second Avenue and NW 60th Ave.

Dorothy was born in Sarah and Otto Tuttle in Somerville, MO on February 11, 1916 and moved with her family to the Des Moines area as a young child.

She graduated from Earlham High School with a Normal School Teacher''s Degree in 1934 and later moved to Des Moines.  She married a childhood sweetheart, Harry Walter Grant in 1940.

Dorothy Grant had many hobbies throughout her life.  She was a long-time member  and many times officer in the Highland Park Garden Club, where she was also a lifetime garden show judge.  She volunteered at the Botanical Center from its opening in 1979 through the spring of 2003.  She and her husband, Harry owned an antique shop and spent many happy times going to auctions to buy things for their shop.  She traveled to China and Mexico and even into her 80s, often hosted exchange students from those countries.  She was also a long-time member of the IE Chapter of PEO.

Survivors include a son, Gary Grant and a daughter, Marilynn Wadden and her husband, Jerry.  She is also survived by grandchildren, Bill Wadden; Leigh Wadden; Harry Matthew Grant; Madeline and Brian and their son, Cody; Rachel Wonders and Justin and their children, Austin, Marissa and Trevor; and Rebecca Grant and Rob.  Also surviving are two sisters, Thelma Muller and Maxine Brodie; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harry Grant; a brother, Howard Tuttle; a sister, Eleanor Peterson; and a grandbaby, Julie Michelle Wadden.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, Highland Park Garden Club or the Des Moines Botanical Center.

Filter DOROTHY REBECCA GRANT's Timeline by the following Memory Categories

2016.02.11

Happy 100th birthday today, Mom. You were ahead of your time in so many ways, and I didn't tell you enough, but I hope you know now. I'm amazed at your wisdom in knowing about nutrition way before it was a popular topic and I'm amazed at your uncanny ability to analyze political and social situations. I'm amazed that you saw the wisdom in giving me opportunities to see what I loved and to help me feel confident in all situations. You knew instinctively that a confident child is a kind child, and you did all you could to set me on that path, all the time showing me how to stand up for myself and pull hair when I had to. In my generation, most girls didn't have a mother who encouraged entrepreneurship, gave them lessons in everything from dance and gymnastics to piano, violin and art, and acting or who got their daughters braces and contact lenses instead of thick glasses as well as supported everything they wanted to do. Surely you were disappointed in my very average mastery of the arts after all those lessons, but you never acted like it, and I never thought so. I always knew you'd be in my corner when I needed you. What a mother your were!
Posted by Marilynn W

2021.06.26
Mom

Mom's amazing character is deeply imprinted on her survivors. Her constant sacrifice and generosity allowed others to thrive.

Posted by Marilynn W on 06/26/2021

2021.06.30
Dorothy Rebecca Tuttle Grant was important

Her character is imprinted on her survivors. Although she didn't act as if she were sacrificing, she did. Later in life, she took care of her husband, Harry Grant, through heart surgery and cancer. We never heard her complain about the long hours or worry with his care. Her sacrifice and generosity have allowed all other family members to thrive.

Posted by Marilynn W on 06/30/2021