Dorothy J. Wavrin

Dorothy J. Stewart Wavrin, 81, Bismarck, ND, died unexpectedly on December 6, 2011. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 17, at 10:30 AM at St. George's Episcopal Church, 601 N. 4th Street, Bismarck, with Rev. Michael Horn officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Dorothy "Dot" was born on August 1, 1930, in Fort Wayne, IN, the eldest of six children born to Donald K. and Jennie Larson Stewart. Dorothy graduated from Leeds High School in 1948, and earned her teaching certificate from Minot State Teacher's College. Her first teaching job was in a one-room schoolhouse in Fessenden, ND. On December 22, 1951, she married Wayne D. Wavrin in Hot Springs, SD. They moved to Bismarck in 1954. Always an entrepreneur, Dorothy established Jack 'N Jill Kindergarten in 1956, and taught hundreds of Bismarck children. Over the years Dorothy crossed paths with many former Jack 'N Jill Kindergarten students, who often shared fond memories of being in her class. Among her many accomplishments, Dorothy was a charter member and President of La Sertoma. Dorothy created the Bismarck Early Childhood Education Program BECEP while working with the Head Start program. Later, Dorothy formed a consulting company, Jay Dee Associates, and traveled extensively developing and promoting early childhood education. From 1970 to 1985, she designed education programs for Head Start in Towner, ND. After that period of her career, Dorothy taught childhood education classes at Weber State University in Utah. In 1988, Dorothy was an instructor in education at the University of Mary. For the next ten years, she held the position of State Education Director for the North Dakota Mental Health Association until her retirement in 1999. Even in retirement, she volunteered her time in public service as a grant writer to obtain funding for various programs for the Council on Compulsive Gambling of North Dakota. Over her lifetime, Dorothy devoted over 50 years in the field of education, which included classroom teaching from preschool to college and adult education. In 1969 the love of her life, Wayne D. Wavrin, died leaving Dorothy a widow at age 39. She returned to college earning a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Mary in Bismarck in 1972, and a Master's of Science in Education from Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, in 1975. She earned her college degrees while working full-time and raising three children. Dorothy was a devoted grandma to her five grandchildren: Sean, Anna, Alex, Taylor, and Jenna, and often referred to them as her "Fantastic Five." She prayed daily for each of them. As a mother and grandmother, Dorothy instilled values such as integrity, hard work, faith, and education. Known to many in Bismarck and beyond as "Grandma Dot," her license plate read "GRMADOT." Dorothy loved watching football, hosting St. Patrick's Day dinners at her home, and making her signature dishes: gingersnap cookies, potato salad, and apple crisp. Dot loved her home and was busy all the time. She often prepared her delicious vegetable beef soup to give to friends and neighbors, who appreciated her acts of kindness. This became her "Soup Ministry." Dot's legacy goes beyond educating others. Among many achievements, the primary focus was her family. She loved unconditionally and modeled generosity, humor and perseverance throughout her entire life. Many people depended on her for wise advice and encouragement. She was definitely a people person! She is survived by three children, Michael Lori Wavrin, Bismarck, Jennifer Jon Leet, Bismarck, and Wendi Doug Law, Omaha, NE; five grandchildren, Sean Kristin Wavrin, Anna Leet, Alexandra Law, Taylor Leet, and Jenna Wavrin; and five siblings, Dennis Mary Ann Stewart, Carmel, IN, Dolores Western, Mandan, ND, Margaret Farnsworth, Fargo, ND, Donald Lydia Stewart, Edmond, OK, and Sharon Bendish, Ft. Rice, ND. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the following: SmileTrain at www.smiletrain.com or P.O. Box 96231, Washington, DC 20090-6231 St. Georges Episcopal Church: see address above. Bismarck Ronald McDonald House: 609 N. 7th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501

Dorothy J. Wavrin

August 1, 1930 - December 6, 2011