Dorothy Ellen Gration, age 97, a resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream, Illinois, died Monday, February 13th.  She was born July 7, 1925 to her parents Alfred and Fanny (Scott) Harpel.

She is survived by her three children:  Scott (Judy) Gration, Barbara (Scott) Harbert, Judy (George) Kohl; eleven grandchildren:  Jonathan (Julie) Gration, Jennifer (Brian) Yoder, David (Jocelyn) Gration, Katherine Gration, Joshua (Sarah) Harbert, Jeffrey (Allyson) Harbert, Matthew (Mariah) Harbert, Alexandra (Max) Brady, Margaret (Reinier) Pranger, Jessica (Tyler) Friedl, George III (Jessica) Kohl; and 14 great-grandchildren. Dorothy is also survived by her sister Mary Lou Bushing.

Coming from a small town in Indiana, she attended Moody Bible Institute where she studied to be a missionary.  There she met John Gration, who became her life's partner.  Together they travelled with their eighteen-month-old son, Scott, aboard a cargo ship bound for Mombasa, Kenya, and on to serve deep in Belgium Congo with Africa Inland Mission.

Teaching in a Bible school and building relationships, their tenure was disrupted when they had to flee the country because of three Congolese uprisings.  The last one coming in 1964, at which time Dorothy and her young family had to leave all their possessions behind and narrowly escape death.  They established a new life and ministry in Kenya where Dorothy and John taught at the Moffat Bible School and developed deep friendships among the Kenyan students.

Upon returning to the United States in 1967, John became the Associate Home Director for Africa Inland Mission and Dorothy worked professionally as a dietician.  She always welcomed guests into their home, whether for a delicious dinner or for a stay while passing through to and from the mission field.

In 1975, the family moved to Wheaton, Illinois, where John served as a faculty member of Wheaton College Graduate School in the Missions/Intercultural Department.  Dorothy thrived during her time at Wheaton, working in the college's development office and forming a bond with other faculty spouses.  She was truly a partner to John, welcoming his students into their home each quarter for a home-cooked curry dinner.  Many of these friendships remain strong today as evidenced by the many Christmas cards she received this year.

Dorothy enjoyed the last fifteen years living at Windsor Park in Carol Stream, where she discovered her talent for painting and took part in most activities that were offered, especially if they involved music.  She poured her life into rich friendships with those in her community and around the world.  Even after losing John eleven years ago, she continued to live life to the fullest, taking advantage of every opportunity that came her way.

Her love for her family was obvious.  She was so proud of not only what they accomplished, but who they were in the Lord.  Her eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren were very special to her and she prayed for them every day.  She was always thrilled to hear of another great grandchild on the way.

If you had the privilege of knowing her, you were blessed.  As the word spread that Dorothy Gration had passed on to her heavenly home, many people remarked of her beautiful and gentle spirit, her strength and resilience, and her selflessness and encouragement of others.  More often, they commented on her deep love and devotion to Jesus her Lord.  Dorothy's faith was grounded in her spiritual knowledge, but she always lived it out practically in the day to day.

Though we rejoice Dorothy is safe and at peace with Jesus, we greatly miss her presence here on earth.  Praise God for her life well lived.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main Street, Wheaton, Illinois 60187.

A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at Wheaton Bible Church, 27W500 North Avenue, West Chicago, Illinois 60185. A livestream of the service will be available here: Dorothy Ellen Gration Service

Interment will be held on Monday, February 27, 2023, at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Wheaton College, John Gration Family Scholarship for Missions Students, 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, Illinois 60187.