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A photo of Dorothy Elaine (Ferguson) Kroetch

Dorothy Elaine (Ferguson) Kroetch 1905 - 1932

Dorothy Elaine (Ferguson) Kroetch of Aberdeen Hospital, in Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County, Washington United States was born on October 18, 1905 in Whatcom County to George W. Ferguson and Nancy Marguerite (Boggs) Ferguson. She had siblings Earl Ferguson, Thelma (Ferguson) Greenough, James Ferguson, Norma Ferguson, Harry Ferguson, and Iva "Wea" (Ferguson) Greenough. She married Hollis Joseph Kroetch in 1923, and they were married until Dorothy's death on August 2, 1932. She had children Elaine Marguerite (Kroetch) Bell Gillett, Hollis Frederick Kroetch, Frank Kroetch, and Norma (Kroetch) Erickson. Dorothy Kroetch was buried on August 4, 1932 at Aberdeen Cemetery Association- Fern Hill Cemetery 2212 Roosevelt St, in Aberdeen.

Dorothy Elaine (Ferguson) Kroetch
Name
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Aberdeen Hospital, in Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County, Washington United States
Last residence
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October 18, 1905
Whatcom County, Washington, United States of America
Birth
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August 2, 1932
Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States of America
Death
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Female
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Updated: April 27, 2025
Biography ID: 453557 What's this
Dorothy Elaine (Ferguson) Kroetch Dorothy Kroetch (1905 - 1932)
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Dorothy Elaine (Ferguson) Kroetch's History: 1905 - 1932

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  • Introduction

    Dorothy's father was George W. Ferguson and her mother was Nancy Marguerite (Boggs) Ferguson, both of whom were born in Kentucky and moved to Whatcom County, Washington circa 1900.
  • 10/18
    1905

    Birthday

    October 18, 1905
    Birthdate
    Whatcom County, Washington United States of America
    Birthplace
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  • Ethnicity & Family History

    Dorothy’s father, George Washington Ferguson, was of Scottish, Irish, English and Welsh descent. Dorothy’s mother, Nancy Marguerite Boggs, was of English, Irish, Welsh and German descent. Dorothy’s parents migrated from Kentucky to Whatcom Co., WA about 1902. Her father worked in logging. After Dorothy married, she became interested in her grandparents in Kentucky whom she had never met. Dorothy wrote to them, telling them she wanted to drive out to Webbville, KY and looked forward meeting them for the first time. She was fascinated by her Kentucky roots, especially since her two oldest siblings were born there prior to her parents relocating to Washington state.

  • Nationality & Locations

    US citizen - born in Whatcom county Washington and lived most her life in Washington state. Lived in Idaho for a while before she was married.

  • Early Life & Education

    Dorothy attended grade school in Whatcom County, WA. She completed her education through 6th grade, which was not unusual for that time. Her father, George Ferguson, moved the family to Clearwater, Idaho when Dorothy was 12 years old. Dorothy worked as a maid in a hotel, and also babysat, to help support the family. When her father died from influenza in 1922, Dorothy, her sisters Norma and Thelma and little brother Harry, moved to Raymond, Washington to join their sister Iva Ferguson Greenough.

  • Religious Beliefs

    Dorothy was an adherent of The Watch Tower Society under Judge Rutherford. This organization became the Jehovah's Witnesses.

  • Professional Career

    Dorothy worked at various 'odd' jobs to help support the family when her children were young. During the depression, Dorothy stood on street corners with a 'sandwich' sign advertising The Watch Tower, an organization that was precursor to the Jehovah Witness organization. She also had her son, Frank, stand with her, much to his embarrassment. Prior to her death, Dorothy worked in a children's tuberculosis ward, and her children always thought that their mother died of tuberculosis. In fact, Dorothy died of meningitis.

  • Personal Life & Family

    Dorothy married Hollis Joseph Kroetch in Olympia, WA when she was 17 years old, though Dorothy stated she was 18 on the license. Hollis was 20 though the license says 22. It's unclear why Hollis would have lied as he was 'of age' at the time. Dorothy was very close to her sisters, Thelma, Norma and Iva. Her little sister Norma and little brother Harry lived in Aberdeen with Dorothy, after she married Hollis. The couple had 4 children: Elaine 'Lainie' Marguerite Kroetch (1924-2007) Hollis Frederick 'Fred' Kroetch (1925-1998) Frank Edward Kroetch (1927-2001) Juanita Mary Jane 'Norma' Kroetch (1929-2005) The great depression hit Grays Harbor County around 1928, several years before the rest of the US. Since the logging industry was the major financial support for the county, by 1929 over 60% of the county families were in dire financial straits. Dorothy applied for financial aid from the county, stating that her husband was 'dead' so the family would qualify. Hollis was seeking working in other logging camps in Washington and Idaho. By 1931, she filed for divorce in Tacoma, Washington as announced in that local newspaper. A divorce was never finalized and again, that may have been Dorothy's way to continue to qualify for financial aid. Her daughter, Elaine, remembers her mother crying because she only had bread and water for the kids to eat one night. However, Elaine always said her parents got along well and they were a happy family. She did remember only one argument: When lighting a fire one night, the smoke came into the house...Hollis accused Dorothy of not opening the flue, Dorothy accused Hollis of not opening it! Otherwise, Elaine said her family was a happy one. When Dorothy passed away unexpectedly in August 1932, her husband Hollis was working in Idaho. He did not hear of her death for several weeks. Per her death certificate: Dorothy was in the Aberdeen Hospital from July 11th to Aug 2nd, dying on the 2nd from meningitis...states DOB as Oct 18 1905 ... states was a housewife, married to HJ Kroetch...she was 26 years, 9 months and 14 days old at the time of her death...informant was her brother Harry Ferguson Dorothy was buried in Fern Hill Cemetery, Section 38/31/4th
  • 08/2
    1932

    Death

    August 2, 1932
    Death date
    Tuberculosis Meningitis
    Cause of death
    Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County, Washington United States of America
    Death location
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  • 08/4
    1932

    Gravesite & Burial

    August 4, 1932
    Funeral date
    Aberdeen Cemetery Association- Fern Hill Cemetery 2212 Roosevelt St, in Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County, Washington 98520, United States
    Burial location
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16 Memories, Stories & Photos about Dorothy

Dorothy Elaine (Ferguson) Kroetch
Photo of Pam Marks Pam Marks
2.68k+ favorites
04/27/2025
Dorothy Elaine (Ferguson) Kroetch
Dorothy's children (L-R) Norma, Elaine and Fred...and Dorothy's brother, Harry and wife Aili, standing by Dorothy's grave
Date & Place: at Fern Hill Cemetery Aberdeen, WA, in Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County, Washington United States
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Hollis Kroetch Family, Aberdeen, WA
Photo of Pam Marks Pam Marks
2.68k+ favorites
01/01/2001
Hollis Kroetch Family, Aberdeen, WA
Hollis & Dorothy (Ferguson) Kroetch in Aberdeen,Washington. From left to right: Dorothy holding baby Norma, Fred, Frank, Elaine with father Hollis standing in back.
Date & Place:
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Dorothy Ferguson Kroetch with Baby Elaine Kroetch
Photo of Kathy Pinna Kathy Pinna
2.74k+ favorites
05/07/2011
Dorothy Ferguson Kroetch with Baby Elaine Kroetch
Studio photo of Dorothy Ferguson Kroetch (wife of Hollis Kroetch, daughter of George Ferguson and Nancy Boggs Ferguson) taken with her infant daughter, Elaine. Elaine was born in 1924, followed by 3 more siblings - Fred, Frank, and Juanita (known as Norma). This photo was probably taken in Hoquiam or Aberdeen, Washington.
Date & Place: in Hoquiam, Washington USA
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Photo of Daniel Pinna Daniel Pinna
10.4k+ favorites
06/04/2020
This is THE photo to try and replicate for all mothers with their children...this is simply beautiful.
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Photo of Lori Russell Lori Russell
120 followers 11.9k+ favorites
10/24/2020
Yes it is very beautiful
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Ferguson Family; Grays Harbor, WA
Photo of Pam Marks Pam Marks
2.68k+ favorites
01/01/2001
Ferguson Family; Grays Harbor, WA
Fergusons: Dorothy, Earl, Thelma, Iva & Norma. Spouses: Hollis Kroetsch & Bryan Greenough.

Dorothy and her 3 sisters & brother, including husband and
brother-in-law, Bryan Greenough.(Norma in front)
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
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Dorothy Elaine Ferguson Kroetsch; Aberdeen, WA
Photo of Pam Marks Pam Marks
2.68k+ favorites
01/01/2001
Dorothy Elaine Ferguson Kroetsch; Aberdeen, WA
Dorothy Elaine Kroetsch; photo taken shortly after her marriage to Hollis Joseph Kroetsch in May 1923.
Date & Place: in Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County, WA
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Photo of Daniel Pinna Daniel Pinna
10.4k+ favorites
05/19/2021
She died when she was 25 and had four children... How did she die?
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Photo of Curtis Beitans Curtis Beitans
25.3k+ favorites
05/19/2021
Tuberculosis Meningitis
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Photo of Curtis Beitans Curtis Beitans
25.3k+ favorites
05/19/2021
I'm not sure how to send a photo to you of
Dorothy Kroetsch death certificate
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Dorothy Ferguson; Aberdeen, WA
Photo of Pam Marks Pam Marks
2.68k+ favorites
01/01/2001
Dorothy Ferguson; Aberdeen, WA
Dorothy Ferguson, about age 15, sitting in old Buick? Dorothy was the daughter of George W. Ferguson and Nancy Boggs. Dorothy was born in 1905 in Goshen, Washington. She married Hollis Joseph Kroetch in 1923 in Olympia, Washington.
Date & Place:
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Hollis & Dorothy Kroetch
Photo of Pam Marks Pam Marks
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07/26/2001
Hollis & Dorothy Kroetch
Dorothy, daughter of George Ferguson & Nancy Boggs married Hollis 'Joe' Kroetch in 1922, Montesano, Washington.
Date & Place:
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Dorothy Ferguson & Baby Taisoff; Idaho
Photo of Pam Marks Pam Marks
2.68k+ favorites
01/01/2001
Dorothy Ferguson & Baby Taisoff; Idaho
Dorothy Ferguson babysitting Mrs. Taisoff's baby (next door neighbor) Photo taken around 1920 in Idaho.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
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Dorothy Ferguson, hula dancer
Pam Kroetsch
16 favorites
01/01/2001
Dorothy Ferguson, hula dancer
Dorothy, daughter of George Ferguson & Nancy Boggs, enjoying a family party!
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
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Dorothy Ferguson's Family Tree & Friends

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Friendships

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Other Biographies

Other Dorothy Ferguson Biographies

Truman, Dorothy Ferguson, Dorothy (Born 1882) Ferguson, Dorothy (Jun 3, 1926 - Apr 15, 2013) Ferguson, Dorothy (Dec 5, 1919 - Aug 31, 2005) Ferguson, Dorothy (Aug 14, 1927 - Aug 3, 1971) Ferguson, Dorothy (Aug 12, 1918 - Sep 8, 1956) Ferguson, Dorothy (Born c. 1949) Ferguson, Dorothy (Born c. 1928) Ferguson, Dorothy (Born c. 1936) Ferguson, Dorothy (Born c. 1922)
Ferguson, Dorothy (Born c. 1943) Ferguson, Dorothy (Born c. 1965) Ferguson, Dorothy (Born c. 1960) Ferguson, Dorothy (Born c. 1963) Ferguson, Dorothy (Born c. 1945) Ferguson, Dorothy (Born c. 1951) Ferguson, Dorothy (Born c. 1937) Ferguson, Dorothy (Born c. 1944) Ferguson, Dorothy (Born c. 1954) Ferguson, Dorothy (Born c. 1944)

Other Ferguson Family Biographies

Ferguson, George (Jan 25, 1874 - Mar 15, 1922) Ferguson, Worth (Born Jun 26, 1852) Ferguson, Iva (Born Jul 3, 1899) Ferguson, Nancy (Jul 11, 1874 - Aug 25, 1916) Ferguson, Earl (Born Mar 3, 1902) Greenough, Thelma (Jul 10, 1904 - Sep 20, 1950) Ferguson, Iva Myrtle (Born Jul 3, 1899) Ferguson, Belle (Born Jul 5, 1863) Ferguson, James (May 28, 1896 - Mar 3, 1952) Ferguson, Catherine  (Apr 30, 1854 - Feb 7, 1930)
Ferguson, Rachel (Born Nov 13, 1849) Reynolds, Marietta (Born Jun 9, 1868) Ferguson, Capt. Neil Ferguson, Earl (Born Jun 10, 1901) Ferguson, Mary (Born Mar 1853) Rowland, Sarah (Born Jan 1, 1980) Ferguson, Minnie (Oct 3, 1890 - Sep 2, 1953) Ferguson, Deborah (Born Oct 5, 1953) Ferguson, Charlie Ferguson, Fenner
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