Dorothy Virginia (Hedrington) Mehls, of Chippewa Falls, passed away peacefully at Lake Hallie Memory Care under the care of St. Croix Hospice on June 28, 2024.

Born Dorothy Virginia Wright on June 10, 1929, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls, Dorothy was the daughter of Arthur and Ethel (Rogers) Wright. She was the youngest of four children and graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1947.

On February 9, 1948, she married Leo John Hedrington in Chippewa Falls. Leo preceded her in death on July 27, 1978. Dorothy later married James Louis Mehls on June 12, 1981, at Holy Ghost Church in Chippewa Falls. Jim preceded her in death on February 23, 2016. Jim has been waiting to take her dancing in the sky.

Dorothy worked at Woolworth’s Candy Counter, National Presto, St. Joseph’s Hospital, and then the Northern Center for the Developmentally Disabled as an aide for many years, enjoying her time with her “kids.” She loved caring for them.

Dorothy had a passion for shopping and loved attending events related to her grandchildren or great-grandchildren. Known as Grandma Doe, she was never far from her camera, always capturing moments to cherish. Jim often joked that he should have invested in Kodak.

Despite her small stature, Dorothy was known for her resilience and positivity. She survived a broken neck vertebra in 2021, only to break the next vertebra in 2022. Though she was often quiet during visits, her smile always expressed her appreciation for her visitors. Beyond her resilience, Dorothy had a playful, strategic side. She cleverly scheduled her appointments right before lunch, ensuring she could enjoy a meal at one of her favorite restaurants.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Debra (Bruce) West of New Auburn; her son, Richard (Diane) Hedrington of Colfax; her stepchildren, James D. (Margaret) Mehls of Whitefish Bay, Constance Russell of Eau Claire, Jocelyn (Peter) Hoeper of Davidson, NC, and Faye (Ryan) Vroman of Eden Prairie, MN. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Heather (Jason) Dresel, Alison (Chad) Kurth, Mathew (Katie) Hedrington, John (Alyece) West, Patrick (Kathrine) Russell, Kelly (Timothy) Morrell, Joseph Hoeper, Monica (James) Sanders, Natalie (Zachary Pfeiffer) Hoeper, Alexandria Mehls, Seamus Mehls, Riley Mehls, Nicole (Ted) Stanley, and Brooke (Dylan) Gmyrek. Her great-grandchildren include Cole and Alexy Dresel, Julianne, Jenavieve, and Isabelle Kurth, Beatrix and Cecelia Hedrington, Ethan and Lennox West, Charlotte and Hugo Russell, Molly and Caitlin Morrell, Benjamin and Catherine Pfeiffer, and Addison Stanley. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, godchildren, and special family members, including John Lawrence, Mandy (Greg) Olson, Jeremy Lawrence, Dustin (Amber) Lawrence and their families, as well as many other special friends and relatives.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husbands, Leo Hedrington and James Mehls; her parents; daughter-in-law, Barbara Hedrington; stepson-in-law, Charles Russell; brother, George Wright; and sisters, Eleanor Beranek and Mildred Schulz.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 3 at Holy Ghost Church in Chippewa Falls. The Very Rev. Jesse Burish will be celebrant of the funeral Mass. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Chippewa Falls.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 3 at the church.

A special thanks to the staff at Lake Hallie Memory Care and St. Croix Hospice for their loving care of Dorothy.

AFTER SERVICE NOTICE: 

Funeral services for Dorothy V. Mehls were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 3 at Holy Ghost Church in Chippewa Falls.

The Very Rev. Jesse Burish was celebrant of the funeral Mass. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Chippewa Falls.

Music during the Mass was provided by Nancy Haley and Beth Martinek. Readings were given by Kelly and Molly Morrell. Gift bearers were Isabelle Kurth, Hugo Russell and Lennox West.

Casket bearers were Cole Dresel, Mathew and Ronald Hedrington, Dustin Lawrence, Patrick Russell, Ethan and John West.

Honorary casket bearers were Joseph Hoeper, Riley and Seamus Mehls.