Dorothy Arlene Hanft

HANFT

Posted By: Skipton
Date: 9/21/2011 at 15:31:45

Dorothy passed away on August 25, 2011 in Walnut Creek, CA.

She was born in Columbus Junction, IA, on September 29, 1918. She was the daughter of Clyde and Bessie Hanft of Columbus City, IA. Dorothy graduated from Columbus Junction High School in 1935. Dorothy joined the WAC’s in August of 1942, eventually rising to the rank of First Sergeant. She served overseas in England. Her detailed life in the WAC’s is an amazing story of the WWII era. She wrote and contributed many articles for the Columbus Gazette during the war. The V.F.W. Hall in Columbus Junction is named after her uncle, Allen Hanft. Her older brother, George J. Hanft also served in WWII in the U.S.M.C. retiring with a rank of Major. After the war, Dorothy moved to Oakland, CA. She worked for the Oakland Tribune until her retirement in 1976.

She then worked in the real estate business until the early 1990’s. After permanent retirement she returned to Europe revisiting countries she was stationed at. Cooking, baking, and sewing were her hobbies. She was also a member of the Beta Sigma Phi. Over the years she attended many reunions of the WAC’s. Dorothy never married. She had four sisters and one brother, all deceased. God Bless her.