Eva Mae Dorn

Family and friends of Eva Mae (Helwig) Dorn were proud, honored and very blessed to have had her in their lives. Those who knew Eve had lived a hard life is a bit of an understatement. She was born on a rural farm in Eau Claire County on May 30, 1930, and when she was 7, she lost her mother (Lois Robinson) on Christmas Day. Eve was blessed by wonderful neighbor ladies who took her under their wings making sure she had food, clothing, and taught her all the things her mother would have. She became a substitute mother for her family until she was old enough to go to work at the Waffle Shop, then at Huebsch Laundry, and finally went to work at Presto during the war making bombs. Before she turned 21, she married Charles Dorn on 10 March 1951 at St John Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.

She became a full-time homemaker when she had her children. She loved her family more than anyone could realize. Eva and Chuck cared for, protected and nurtured their children, ensured they had a roof over their heads, food in their bellies and clothes on their backs. Eva made sure her children were baptized, confirmed, and graduated high school and continued to care for them until they found employment and/or married.

Once she became an empty nester Eve took up traveling. With a friend she saw Tennessee and Florida. She visited her sister and her family in Maryland, explored around Illinois, New York, Virginia and Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas. Took small trips to Door County, WI, Black Hills, SD, and Mackinac Island, MI. Her favorite trip was when Chuck and her flew all the way to Okinawa, Japan to visit the Nelsons.

She had a tender heart for all animals, and she loved each of her dogs and cats. Her talents were embroidery, sewing, listening to music, and singing, cooking and tending to her lawn. She had also volunteered at the St Johns Quilting Bee and making dolls for the hospitals with RSVP at the Senior Center. She always believed “Busy hands make a light heart”.

During surgery in 1968, we almost lost Eva when she saw angels, but a voice said, “No, Eva, it’s not your time yet.’ Well now it’s her time and we know she is up in heaven wearing a crown of precious jewels, singing and playing with her animals and being with all her loved ones that went before her. Until we see each other again, she will continue to be in our hearts. We would like to express our deep appreciation to all the caregivers and nursing staff at Cambridge Senior Living for the short time she stayed there and the Intruit Hospice Staff for their professional care, who treated Mom as if she was their grandmother. You all are our angels on this earth.

Eve was preceded by her parents, Harry and Lois Helwig; her brothers, Roger and Lee Helwig; her sister, Lillian Janc; and her husband, Charles Dorn after 63 years of marriage and care giving.

Eve is survived by her 4 children; 3 grandsons; and 2 great grandchildren; daughters, Debra (Gary) Ottestad of Strum WI; their children, Brian (Paula), Nathan (Megan) and family, and Blake Ottestad, Charlotte (Daniel) Nelson of Muldrow OK and Karen (Bob) Porter of Eau Claire WI, and her son Steven (Carol) Dorn of Prescott WI. Eve is also survived by brother, Eugene Helwig; and the many nieces and nephews, (both the Dorn and Helwig side) who came to visit her.

She will be cremated and will rest at St Johns cemetery, Eau Claire. Per her request there will be no funeral. Instead of cards or flowers please send any donations to St Judes Children’s Hospital or the Eau Claire Animal Shelter.