Dorothy Marx

Madison - Dorothy Ann Marx (Heick) (Jorgenson) passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 in Vacaville, California, age 99, just 60 days short of reaching 100. She was born on June 12, 1918 to Detlev and Beatrice (Prohaska) Heick in Madison, Wisconsin. Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Lynn Jorgenson Upchurch of Vacaville, California and stepson, Tom Marx (Kathy) of Lodi, Wisconsin, Dave (Rachel) Marx, Paul (Brittany) Marx, Bob (Lena) Marx, John Simon, Jodie (Chad) Lasco, and Jeff (Kersten) Simon, and 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband Clarence Jorgenson in 1956; daughter Wendy Lou Peru, in 2013, and her second husband, Mathew Marx in 2004.

Dorothy, in 1936 at the age of 18, was the two-time national winner of a Major Bowes radio talent competition playing both marimba and piano. She toured with Major Bowes for four years from 1936 to 1940. She also performed in a touring all-girl swing band as part of the Major Bowes organization. At the 1933 Chicago World's Fair she played in a remarkable 100 marimba orchestra. She taught piano and marimba to students for many years including to her husband, Clarence who performed with Dorothy on marimba, performing around the Midwest on weekends. She studied music through private lessons with faculty at Wisconsin School of Music, Northwestern University and attended Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan on scholarship during a summer, an event that changed her life.

Clarence took over ownership of Dorothy's father's business, Heick Moving and Storage Company in 1951. Following his sudden early death, Dorothy took over the moving business finding new skills as a businesswoman. In 1962 the company became affiliated with United Van Lines and in 1970, Dorothy was invited to join the board of directors of United Van Lines becoming one of the first women to serve on United's board. She served as a role model to other women and girls long before the feminist movement was underway in the 1970s.

Following her marriage to Mathew Marx in 1973, they began traveling between Madison and Palm Desert, California to take advantage of the seasons in each location. Dorothy moved to Vacaville, California to live closer to her daughters, Wendy and Lynn, in 2005 following Mathew's death. During these annual trips Dorothy was inspired to learn to paint landscapes along with her music, reading, and organizing choral groups and sing-alongs for seniors wherever she lived. Dorothy was an active member of the Madison chapter of the Euterpe Club, a sorority for women musicians who enjoyed salon style performances for one another. She was active in the Advertising Club in Madison and was a guest speaker on women in business in the Madison region.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, April 26 at Saint Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 6205 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin with an optional music meditation one-half hour prior to the service. A reception will be held at Saint Dunstans following the service. Burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to Interlochen Center for the Arts, PO Box 199, Interlochen, Michigan 49643 or at www.interlochen.org/give . Please note that your gift is in memory of Dorothy Marx.


Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434