Dorothy Edith Mileham

Dorothy Edith Cross Mileham, a life-long resident of the Webb area, passed away Feb. 7, 2011. She was born July 14, 1917, in the family home, the youngest child of Henry and Alida (Freeman) Cross. She was raised on the Cross family farm, southeast of Webb and graduated from Garfield School in 1934. She remained at home until her mother passed away in 1935. In 1936 she attended the American Cosmetology School in Omaha, Neb. After passing her state boards, Dorothy first worked in Laurens and Lake Mills before opening her own shop in Laurens, which she operated until 1942. On Aug. 11, 1941, Dorothy married James Herchell Mileham in Valentine, Neb. Following his service in World War II; they lived in Arizona briefly before returning to the Webb area where Herchell began working for Dorothy's father on the family farm. They purchased the farm in 1955 and Dorothy worked side-by-side with Herchell operating the farm until Herchell retired in 1971. Dorothy lived on the farm continuously for 55 years until moving to Riverview Terrace last November. The farm was named a Century Farm in 2003 by the Iowa Department of Agriculture for having been owned and operated by one family for over 100 years. In the early 1960s, Dorothy worked in the laundry at Spencer Hospital. In 1968, She began working as a school cook for South Clay Elementary School in Webb. She became head cook and worked for the school for 15 years before retiring in 1984. Dorothy was a life-long member of the Baptist Church in Webb, serving in several leadership roles. She was active in several women's church groups, as well as the 20th Century Club and the Disabled American Veterans organization. Dorothys humor, grace, faith and spirit were an inspiration to her children and grandchildren. She loved to travel and was able to travel extensively after her retirement. She loved to laugh and enjoyed spending time with family and friends, particularly her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Herchell, in 1984, her parents, two brothers and six sisters. She is survived by five children, Donald and his wife, Loi, of Florissant, Colo.; James and his wife, Karen, of Aurora, Colo.; Patricia and her husband, Richard Marker, of Maynard, Minn.; Colleen and her husband, David Foster, of Salem, Ore.; and Marlene and her husband, Robert Headrick, of Yamhill, Ore.; 11 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

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