Dorothy Strago, 95 of Menlo, Wash., passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, at the Alder House Assisted Living Center in South Bend, Wash. Dorothy was born March 15, 1923, in Raymond, Wash., to Joseph and Sophia (Wiss) Rendel.
Dorothy grew up in the Smith Creek area of Raymond and fondly remembers helping her mother deliver fresh vegetables out of their garden to the Raymond grocery stores. She attended the Raymond Schools and moved out to her grandparents farm her senior year and graduated from Willapa Valley High School with the class of 1942.
On Dec. 17, 1943, she married Raymond Goodin in Elizabeth City, N.C. They had three children together, Connie, Linda and Bob. During World War II Dorothy worked at the Boeing Plant in Aberdeen, Wash. as a “Rosie-the-Riveter” while her husband was overseas in the U.S. Navy. On March 13, 1956, Ray was killed in an industrial accident working for the Pacific County P.U.D.
In April of 1958 Dorothy married Victor Strago in Raymond, Wash. He had a daughter, Sandi Strago. Victor passed away Dec. 31, 1984.
Dorothy was a lifetime member of the Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society. She enjoyed playing pinochle and tripoley, clam digging, working in her flower and vegetable gardens, and traveling to Reno and Las Vegas. She especially loved spending time with her family! She valued them above everything else.
She is survived by daughters Connie Tobiason (Terry) of Lacey, Wash., Linda (Bob) Ruddell of Menlo, Wash.; a son Bob Goodin of Menlo, Wash; a brother, Manley Niemcziek of Centralia, Wash.; a family friend, Dorothy Hanen; grandchildren Eric Tobiason, Jeff Tobiason, John Tobiason, Craig Ruddell, Kelli Buchanan, Jason Goodin, Lisa Rask, Traci Goodin, and Shane Allen; great-grandchildren Bryce, Audrey, Alex, Taiylor, Cody, Hailey, Travis, Natasha, Landon, Peityn, Niyah, Alexandria, and Brittney and great-great-grandchildren Brandon and Jesse.
Dorothy was preceded in death by a step-daughter Sandi (Strago) Allen, sisters Josephine Langer and Lena Hartstrom, and a brother Stanley Niemcziek.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Willapa United Methodist Church, 969 Willapa First Street. A potluck luncheon will follow in the fellowship hall. A private family interment will be held at the Fern Hill Cemetery in Menlo.
Donations in Dorothy’s memory may be made to Willapa Helping Hands, P.O. Box 597, South Bend, WA 98586 or Willapa Valley High School Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 128, Menlo, WA 98561
Arrangements are in care of Stoller’s Mortuary in Raymond, Wash. You may visit www.StollersMortuary.com to leave condolences for the family.
