Dorothy Isaak

Dorothy Isaak passed away June 5, 2024, in American Falls, Idaho.  She was born at home September 3, 1928 near Aberdeen, Idaho, to Frank Joseph Klempel and Elsie Hunsinger Klempel. She joined brothers Johnny and Howard, and sister Helen, and was raised as a typical Aberdeen "farm kid" during the Great Depression. 

This was a time when indoor plumbing was a luxury, electric power poles were miles away and the "bus" for attending school was a horse-drawn wagon or sled.

Dorothy was a member of First Mennonite Church in Aberdeen and attended Aberdeen schools, graduating in 1946, so she had been friends with Elmer Isaak for a long time. They were married in 1947 after Elmer returned from Japan in service with the U.S. Army at the end of World War II. They settled in Aberdeen and raised their two children in the turquoise house on the corner of Custer Street.

Dorothy was a homemaker, an excellent cook and gardener, a talented artist and a highly skilled seamstress. She made most of the clothes for her family, then turned the leftover fabrics into beautiful quilts and potholders. She also dedicated herself to extensively researching the histories of both the Klempel/Hege and the Isaak/Dirks families.

Because Dorothy was well past her 95th birthday, she outlived most of the brothers, sisters and spouses in both the Klempel and Isaak families, as well as several young lives which were gone much too soon. Also preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Elmer, daughters-in-law Marlene Isaak and Julia Isaak, and son-in-law Robert Burton.

Dorothy is survived by son Leonard Isaak and daughter Charlotte Burton; grandchildren Peter (Michelle) Burton, Joseph Burton, Joe A. Isaak and Jenifer Isaak-Sprayberry (Christopher); great grandchildren Collin, Gowen and Garradyn (Kayla) Isaak and great-great grandchildren Risika, Leo, Morgan, Remi, Kaydan and Ellie. She is also survived by her sister Helen Harder, sisters-in-law Edith Isaak, Roz Isaak and Marge (Clint) Krehbiel, brother-in-law Irvin (Bernice) Isaak and an abundance of several generations of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service will start at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, at Homestead Cemetery near Aberdeen, Idaho.  To order flowers, or to share condolences, memories, and photos, please visit DavisRoseMortuary.com.