Dorothy Cooning

DOROTHY M. COONING October 12, 1925 - April 2, 2021 On Friday, April 2, 2021, Dorothy (Wiebeck) Cooning passed away in San Antonio, Texas. Known as Dot, she was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Dot was born October 12, 1925 to Pete and Emma Wiebeck and raised in St. Peterburg, Florida where she graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1943. She later attended Florida State College for Women (now, Florida State) in Tallahassee. Dot was a quintessential Florida girl, loving the sunshine, warm weather and sandy beaches. It was during the early days of World War II where Dot met the love of her life, Lee Cooning. Lee was a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps getting ready to be deployed to Europe as a navigator in B-17s. Lee's aircraft was shot down in combat and he was captured by the German Army. As a POW it was the strength of his love for his "Dittie-Dot" that helped him get through trying times. When liberated from prison, Lee's number one priority was to get home to marry Dot. Dot's adventures started there, as an Air Force wife she raised her family in far flung places around the world. Texas, New York, Kansas, California, Alabama, Norway, Maine, and Florida. One can only imagine this warm climate loving lady keeping a smile on her face during a 10 foot snow storm in Oslo, Norway. No matter where she lived, she kept a loving home for her family. To her, home is where the Air Force sends you! After 30 years of frequent moves, Dot and Lee were rewarded with a beautiful retirement home on the water in St. Petersburg, Florida. It was there that Dot flourished, back in the warm sunshine of Florida, she opened her home to her children, grandchildren, and friends. Dot made sure her home was command central for her children and grandchildren or any other visitors to visit Disney World. She never would forget an important event in her children and grandchildren's life, sending cards and presents to show her love. Her husband Lee proceeded her in death on January 31, 2005. She is survived by her daughter, Carol Rusche-Lageman (Neil) of San Antonio, Texas; son, Craig Cooning (Susan) of Rancho Palos Verdes, California; and grandchildren, Bill Rusche, Britt Rusche, John Lageman, Karlene Lageman Marchant, Christopher Cooning, and Taylor Cooning. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Independence Hill who gave her support and friendship as a 15 year resident and their gratitude to the caring Physicians and nursing staff at Stone Oak Methodist Hospital.