Dorothy M. Moore, 101, formerly of Williston, died Thursday, April 8, 2021 at St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson with family by her side. Dorothy’s Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, April 12, 2021 at Ladbury Funeral Service with Pastor Scott Skones as officiant. Interment will take place at Riverview Cemetery, Williston. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Dorothy Mureen Black was born March 21, 1920 in a small cabin outside Chance, Mont., the daughter of William and Effie Dee (Vines) Black. She grew up there and attended country school with her five siblings. She remembers the tough times her family had during the 1930’s and always hoped for a better future.
Dorothy claims her “better future” came the day she married Thomas A. Moore on April 12, 1941 in Billings, Mont. The family moved to Williston where Tom would build, operate, and manage the Westlund Oil Refinery. The family consisted of Sharon, Lanny, and Vonda. They also adopted Dorothy’s nephew, Rodney and he was always part of their family.
Tom and Dorothy were instrumental in bringing square and round dancing into the Williston community. Dorothy had to sit out quite a few of the dances because Tom was the one up front calling the dances. He had a wonderful voice and was in demand to call around the whole state. Dorothy was an excellent cook and loved to make holiday dinners for the whole family. Camping was one of her favorite family activities, especially if it meant traveling to campsites in Montana and Wyoming where Dorothy and Tom called home. Dorothy kept a daily diary every year for many years and these books are “treasures” for the remaining family. She was a “list-maker” and always had a list of what was to be done and when—especially if she was going on a trip. Her trips included attending the Moore Family Reunion in Cody, Wyo. which was every other year.
Following Tom’s death on January 17, 1990, Dorothy was involved in Women’s Honor Club, and became close friends with the other women. She moved to Dickinson to be closer to family. She resided at Hawks Point for eight years, prior to her move to St. Luke’s Home two years ago.
Dorothy is survived by two children, Lanny (Lois) Moore, Grand Forks and Vonda (Norman) Haakenson, Dickinson; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Tom; daughter, Sharon (Larry) Conley; son, Rodney (Shelly) Moore; grandson, Kevin Stern; her parents; step-father, Harry N. Heater; and all five siblings.