Dorothy Mary Jansen, 95, a longtime resident of the Gaston/Forest Grove community, died Monday June 30, 2025 at the Jennings McCall II Assisted Living Center in Forest Grove.

DOROTHY MARY JANSEN was born on  January 17, 1930 in Forest Grove, the daughter of the late Martin J. Vanderzanden and Mary M. (Vanderschuere) Vanderzanden. Growing up in the Verboort area she worked on the family farm. After graduating from Verboort High School class of 1949 she went on to work at a local nursery, later she worked at a bank in Forest Grove.

Dorothy met Vernon Jansen while going to school in Verboort, they dated for a while and Vernon went into the Army with Leander Peters on the buddy system. Dorothy and Vernon were united in marriage in a double wedding ceremony with Leander and Dorothy (Braukman) Peters at Fort Jackson. They stayed in South Carolina later moving to New York for a short time then was stationed in Indianapolis Indiana. After being honorably discharged from the Army they moved back to Verboort and lived in his brother's new home as Larry Jansen and family were on the road playing baseball. During that summer they bought their little farm in Scoggins Valley Gaston. They raised sheep, chickens, had a big garden and several fruit trees. Dorothy went to work for Porters berry farm North of Forest Grove as a field boss for several years, later went to work for Gray And Co. For several years Dorothy and Vernon made several trips to Eastern Oregon for hunting, fishing and sightseeing. They also bought a vacation home in Depoe Bay where they loved to take their boat out on deep sea fishing trips.

She was preceded in death by her husband Vernon in 1985. After that, she worked for Fred Meyer in Cornelius until taking a job at Turk Manufacturing where she retired. Since her retirement she has done a lot of traveling to Europe, East Coast, Caribbean, Alaska and other little trips. One of Dorothy's favorite trips was to attend her granddaughter's graduation at the Airforce Academy and the trip after that going to several states around Colorado. 

Dorothy enjoyed playing her piano and organ as she loved music very much, she played the organ in Gaston and Forest Grove Catholic Churches for masses and on all special occasions. She enjoyed sewing, needlework, canning, cooking and doing yardwork. She also loved to ice skate on frozen ponds in her younger years but in later years she did on occasion go ice skating at indoor rinks.
She enjoyed trying to keep up with the grandkids and great grandkids with all the sports and activities but it was hard with all of the kids living so far away. 

She is survived by her son Darwin and Barbara Jansen of Banks Oregon, two grandkids: Lindsay and (Dave) Bennett of Hickam Air Force Base Hawaii, Robert Cook of Juneau Alaska. She was also blessed with 4 great-grandchildren; Michael Bennett, Anna Bennett, Ryan Cook, Maranda (Cook)  and Justin Wright. She is also survived by two siblings; Don Vanderzanden, of Forest Grove and Howard and Deedee Vanderzanden, of Craig Alaska.

The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions to Tenderly Hospice 7150 SW Hampton St, Tigard, Oregon 97223,  in her memory.