Dorothea Ruth Kress Wiegman

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  • Dorothea Ruth Kress Wiegman
    Dorothea Ruth Kress Wiegman
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Dorothea Ruth Kress Wiegman, 84, transitioned from this world and into the arms of Christ on Monday, March 23, 2020 in Tyler, TX. She passed peacefully surrounded by her children.

Dorothea was born on March 2, 1936 to Margaret Becker Kress and John B. Kress in Columbus, IN. She was the fourth child in a boisterous, hard-working, and fun-loving family of eight children. Dorothea, or fondly known as “Dot” to some, grew up very close to her siblings. She was active in her community and church from a young age. Her Dad finished out their basement and put in a jukebox for all of the kids and their friends to enjoy. The Kress house was strict, but was also the gathering place for many.

Dorothea later married and had three children of her own: Julia Anne, William John and Hilaire Jeanette.

She lived in Indiana and California before moving to Texas when her kids were young.

Dorothea was an artistic, articulate, funny, and outgoing person. One might say that she never met a stranger. She worked as an accountant outside of the home for most of her working career but also did Real Estate and worked in other management positions. She was a strong, independent single mother for many years.

She married her second husband, Cecil E. Wiegman, on December 28, 1974 in Whitehouse, TX.

Dorothea had many hobbies that included dancing with Cecil at the local VFW dance hall, camping, hiking, gardening, painting, sewing, crafting, farming, entertaining, event organizing, community leadership, volunteering for various organizations, and traveling. She was a sharp and gifted game player, often hard to beat!

Dorothea was also an avid bird-watcher. She loved her wild birds and kept them well-fed everywhere she went.

She adored her family, children, and grandchildren and supported them in all of their activities: 4H, sports, dance, theater, and more. She encouraged academics and learning in all aspects of life and wanted all of her loved ones to find their talents and celebrate them. It was a regular event for Cecil and Dorothea to host friends and their big family for fish fries and gatherings at their home or their lake lot in East Texas; one of her most favorite things to do.

Traveling all over the country in their RV, and even deep into Mexico, she and Cecil found grand adventures in their retirement. They also took their grandchildren on trips to different places and enjoyed showing them new things.

Dorothea and her husband, Cecil, were ready for a change of scenery, so they moved from their home in East Texas to San Saba, TX in 1996. There, she made new friends quickly.

Over the 84 years of her life, Dorothea volunteered countless hours for the Veterans of Foreign War Post 1799 and the Ladies Auxiliary, where she was President of her local chapter, Civitan International, and the American Red Cross. Dorothea was a true patriot and a woman of strong convictions of faith, family, country and community.

In San Saba, she was an active member in St. Mary’s Catholic Church and worked in the office, as well as worked elections and for the Census Bureau in her county. She joined the Garden Club, the Friends of Colorado Bend State Park, and cohosted with her husband, the first San Saba Volunteer Fire Department’s Appreciation Banquet.

She was widowed in 2002, and moved back to the piney woods of East Texas a few years later to be closer to family. She currently resided in Flint, TX.

Dorothea is proceeded in death by her husband, Cecil E. Wiegman, of Whitehouse, TX; her bonus son, Roger Wiegman, of Leonard, TX; her granddaughter, Anggie Eads; her great-granddaughter, Natalie Eads; and her youngest daughter, Hilaire Putnam, of Zephyrhills, FL.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her son, William “Bill” Spray and wife, Melody, of Marshall, TX; and daughter, Julia Lassiter and husband, Charles, of Chandler, TX. She is also survived by her brother, Bernie Kress and wife, Marlene, of The Villages, FL; her baby sister, Anita Kress, of Chandler, TX; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews, grandchildren, granddogs, great-grandchildren and great-granddogs. She disliked all cats, except for a very tenacious kitty that adopted her just a few years ago, named Stormi.

Her Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at her church, St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, in Flint, TX at a later date.