Dorothy was born in Fullerton, North Dakota, a town in Dickey County. In 1923 it had 200 residents. She was the only child of Hilda and Gus Wahl. Gus worked at various jobs and was the mayor of Fullerton before moving to Forman in Sargent County where Dorothy grew up. While attending high school she met a handsome basketball player that moved to town. Charles Harding Crandall married Dorothy Irene Wahl in Forman while he was in the U.S. Navy and stationed in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Just before his discharge from the Navy, their first son was born while Dorothy lived in Forman. After he was discharged, they moved to Minot, North Dakota where their second son, Gary was born. A third son, Gene was born in Moline, IL. Chuck had been a radar technician during the war, which was “high tech” of its day. His skills took Dorothy and the new family on a journey of many moves before settling in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Dorothy had gone to Valley City Normal School, now Valley City University to get a teaching degree before getting married. She student taught, but the arrival of children switched her to being a full-time mom, managing the family. Running her family, now three boys with the birth of Gene was an adventure in adaptation. Forman, ND - Minot, ND - Moline, IL - Des Moines, IA - Elwood, IN - Ashland, OH - Madison, WI - Springfield, IL - Kenosha, WI and then to Fort Wayne, Indiana where she was the “Mayor of Devonshire Drive.” She was the spark plug of the neighborhood for ten happy years. She loved to play bridge, ride bikes, play golf and substitute taught in each community where she lived. A final move was made in 1977 to Sterling Heights, MI where Chuck retired and they lived the final years of his employment with Montgomery Ward.

Dorothy was the glue that held the family together as her husband rose in the corporate ranks from radio repairman in North Dakota to a store manager that was sent to troubled stores to make them or break them. With each move she would have to remake their home and keep her three boys focused on school and activities, plus making her own new set of friends each time.

After Chuck passed away in 2005, she lived alone for a time until she went into assisted living in Michigan and then her sons moved her to Waters Edge in Hayward, WI. She celebrated her 100th birthday with them and friends, showing pride in her sons’ accomplishments and enjoying the attention of her grandchildren. She will always be known as a sharp-witted woman who spoke her mind and could be counted on to bring life to any party. Dorothy is survived by her three sons and their wives, six grandchildren and two great grandsons.

Last Update: Sep 05, 2024 1:28 pm CDT