Dorothy G. Willen

Dorothy G. Willen, age 83 of Belle, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 31, 2023, at her home in Belle, MO.

Dorothy was born on November 9, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of the late Albert and Marie (Stamm) Kopesky.

Dorothy was united in marriage on May 18, 1957, in Bridgeton, to John R. Willen, Sr., preceded in death.

Dorothy was an amazing housewife, terrific cook, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was full of warm compassion, and was the most loving person. If you came into her home, you instantly felt welcomed. The love of her life was her late husband, John Willen Sr., and then of course her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She made sure she displayed her family in pictures throughout her home. Whether it be her parents, brother and sisters, in-laws, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, she’d make sure she would always fit in another picture frame. She was always about having the recent up to date pictures to see.  She enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals on television and rooting them on, and many of her children would call her to make sure she knew when and what channel they were playing on. She loved her dog, Buddy, and the companionship he offered. She enjoyed the outdoors and walking or riding the chuckwagon through the trails in the woods. She enjoyed spending time going on road trips to look at the fall foliage, and looking at everyone’s beautiful Christmas lights displayed on their homes at Christmas time. She enjoyed watching and feeding the birds, particularly the hummingbirds (Hummers), loved her horses, gardening and tending to her flower gardens. She loved listening to country western music, and in the day, was quite the dancer. She enjoyed playing cards, coloring beautiful pictures, doing word searches, and talking to her loved ones on the phone. She was great for giving advice in life, considering she lived a full life with many experiences that gave her good, solid, honest advice to listen to. Her greatest love was spending time with her family.

Preceded by her husband, John, Dorothy is survived by her ten children and their spouses: John Willen, Jr., and his wife Dawn of St. Johns, MO (preceded in death), Al Willen and his wife Mary of Belle, MO, Jerry Willen of Dixon, MO, Ron Willen of St. Louis, MO, Cheryl Burns and her husband Joe of Marthasville, MO, Karen Kitrel and her husband Don (preceded in death) of St. Peters, MO, Teri Ruf and her husband Keith of Belle, MO, Brenda Nelson and her husband Jim of Overland, MO, Jane Breneisen and her husband Mike of St. Peters, MO, and Bill Willen and his wife Tiffany of Belle, MO;

Twenty three grandchildren: Gwen (Joe) Merino, Krystal (Nicholas) Mathina, Amanda (William) Woods, Myles Hotchkiss, Kyle Hotchkiss, Michelle (Scott) Jacobs, Angie Willen, Jamie Fritsch, Daniel Willen, Ryan Miller, Jacob Willen, Bryan Burns, Julia Burns, Lindsey (Danny) Baker, Devin Kitrel, Casey Willen, Ashly Ruf, Brandon (Sarah) Nelson, Aubrey Breneisen, Andrew Breneisen, Haiden Jones, Lilliana Willen, Gracie Willen.

Thirty one great grandchildren: Paige Merino, Mason Merino, Haleigh Mathina, Maverick Mathina, River Mathina, Willow Woods, Brennon Hotchkiss, Cameron Deck, Preston Jacobs, Chase Jacobs, Bailey Willen, David Gibbs, Brooklyn Light, Lance Presley, Gabriel Miller, Colton Willen, Hayden Burns, Dakota Burns, Colton Burns, Joseph Hoofman, Liam Lewellen, Huxley Baker, Daxton Baker, Raygen Baker, Kaiden Kitrel, Ashlynn Pherigo, Dakota Pherigo, Gavin Pherigo, Phoenyx Pherigo, Astrid Nelson, Anja Nelson.

Dorothy is survived by her sister Rosemarie Whitworth (Kopesky) and a brother, Albert Kopesky.

In addition to her parents, was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Pierson (Kopesky).

In accordance with Dorothy’s wishes, her body has been cremated and no services are planned at this time. Upon an agreeable date, the immediate family will gather for a memorial in Belle, MO for a celebration of life.