Dorothy B (Outhouse) Poling 1928 - 2024

OUTHOUSE, POLING, NUZUM

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 12/30/2024 at 10:43:07

Sioux City Journal
26 December 2024

Dorothy B (Outhouse) Poling passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving morning November 28, 2024 at Rapid City, SD. She was 96.

Dorothy was born October 22, 1928 at Moorhead, IA to Leslie David Outhouse and Gladys Musetta (Nuzum) Outhouse, joining older sister Delora. Sisters Donna and Doris and little brother David would soon follow.

Growing up on the family farm during the difficult times of the Great Depression, Dorothy developed a deep sense of faith, strong work ethic, love of family and community, and sense of humor. She loved a funny story and a good laugh. Dorothy was baptized into the Community of Christ Church (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) where she remained an active and faithful member throughout her life.

Although money and food were often scarce, Dorothy and her siblings were grateful for what they had and learned not to worry about what they lacked. They enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. On Saturday nights father Leslie would take the children to town and give them each a nickel from selling the week's supply of eggs and other farm products so they could buy a treat or a toy. They were so excited! Despite the hardships, Dorothy cherished the time spent with her sisters and little brother and was grateful for the lifelong family bonds that were created on the farm.

Dorothy attended rural schools and graduated from Moorhead High School in 1946. She excelled in school and enjoyed sports, school plays, music and roller skating. She attended Graceland College earning an Associate's Degree in 1947.

Dorothy married Gordon Poling on March 6, 1949 at Moorhead, IA. They moved to Sioux City, IA where Dorothy supported Gordon's pursuit of his college degree by working multiple jobs including managing the counter service at the Greenville Pharmacy. In her spare time she continued her own studies earning a BS in Divisional Social Science and English from Morningside College in 1961.

Dorothy's first teaching opportunity was at Sergeant Bluff, IA where she first met lifelong friends and mentors Harvey and Addie Petersen. Harvey was a young up and coming superintendent of schools in the area and over the next several years Dorothy taught fourth grade under Harvey's leadership at Anthon, Cleghorn, and finally Sioux City. Summers were spent with the Petersen's at Lake Okoboji, earning extra money performing seasonal farm work in Washington state, pursuing graduate studies at Colorado (1953) and Utah (1959), and spending cherished time with her many growing nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was blessed with the arrival of daughter Tamara (Tami) in July 1964 and son Todd in December 1965. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Vermillion, SD where Dorothy retired from teaching to devote her time and talents to supporting Gordon in his work and raising the children. The Vermillion years were filled with school and neighborhood activities and many memorable family vacations and Outhouse family reunions. While never drawing attention to herself, Dorothy was always at the center of the action never missing a school event or passing up the opportunity to make things nice for everyone else.

Immensely talented and never one to sit idle, Dorothy took up oil painting in her fifties and documented the Outhouse family tree from the family's emigration in the 1600's from Uithuizen, a farming village in the Netherlands, to New York and eventually Western Iowa ~ all without the help of the Internet! Dorothy later became involved with the Outhouse Historical Society, enjoying trips with her siblings to annual meetings in Wisconsin, New York and Nova Scotia and eventually serving as the organization's president.

With the children grown, Dorothy refreshed her teaching certificate at the University of South Dakota and returned to teaching in 1985 as a specialist in Early Childhood at Austin School in Vermillion until her retirement in 1994. She learned sign language so that she could communicate with Emma, the school's only deaf child. This brought her great joy and is an example of the satisfaction Dorothy experienced from helping others.

In 1998 at the age of 70, Dorothy moved to Rapid City to be closer to Tami and her young boys, embarking on a remarkable new chapter of life. Dorothy married Willis Howard, a longtime church friend from Sioux City, settling into a country home in the Rim Rock area of the Black Hills. They enjoyed many memorable drives, hikes and visits from friends and family in the beautiful Black Hills. Dorothy continued her involvement with PEO, rekindled old friendships with Vermillion transplants, and developed a new network of friends and activities in the Rapid City area. Dorothy especially enjoyed watching Tami's young boys Ian and Ethan grow up and was grateful for the opportunity to be an active and positive influence in their lives. Tami's family included Dorothy on several international vacations including Australia, China, Grand Cayman and Europe.

Dorothy moved to Westhills Village Retirement Community in 2013 where she continued to live independently until just last year. Although her physical health declined, Dorothy's mind remained sharp and she never lost her sense of humor or humble perspective on life.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents; husband Gordon; second husband Willis; son-in-law John Reuter; three sisters and brothers-in-law Delora (Lyle) Davis, Donna (Chuck) Shaffer, Doris (Loren) Mann; brother David Outhouse (wife Addie and second wife Marla); nieces Bonnie and Roxanne Shaffer; niece Rhonda Mann Boyd; and nephew Edward Davis.

Dorothy is survived by daughter Tami and grandsons Ian and Ethan; son Todd, his wife Rosie and grandchildren Gia and Ryan; and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy leaves a legacy of grace, kindness, wisdom and humility. We will miss her presence and guidance but are forever grateful for our time with her as a mother, teacher and friend, knowing she is at peace in Heaven.

The family is especially grateful to the staff at Westhills for providing a loving, caring community for the residents and for their support and kindness over the years.

Memorials may be directed to the Community of Christ Church, International Headquarters, 1001 W. Walnut St., Independence, MO 64050.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1-2pm on Sunday December 29, 2024 in the Rim Rock Room at Westhills Village in Rapid City.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Saturday March 1, 2025 at the Community of Christ Church in Pisgah, IA.

Kirk Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Rapid City, S.D.