Dorothy Mae Groteluschen

Dorothy Mae Groteluschen, the daughter of Hans J. and Edith (Anderson) Hansen was born May 13, 1927, at her parents’ home in rural Audubon County, west of Audubon, Iowa and died March 23, 2020 at the Paula Baber Hospice House in Fort Dodge, Iowa at the age of 92 years, 10 months, and 10 days.

Dorothy was baptized and confirmed at the Bethany Lutheran Church northeast of Kimballton, Iowa. She attended rural Audubon County School and graduated from Audubon High School with the Class of 1945. Dorothy attended beauty school in Des Moines, Iowa then returned to Audubon and was employed at a local beauty salon.

On April 18, 1948, she was united in marriage to Robert Groteluschen at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon. They were blessed with three children: Roger, Janelle, and Jon. Dorothy worked as a beautician for several years then became a home maker to raise the children. In the early 1970s, she was employed as a clerk at the Audubon County Treasurer. Bob died on August 17, 1986. Dorothy continued working until her retirement in 1992. Dorothy enjoyed her home in Audubon and later moved to Fort Dodge on August 1, 2017 to be closer to her family.

Dorothy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon. She was active with the Presbyterian Women and even served as President for a time. She was also a social member of the Audubon Golf and Country Club. She was an avid and skilled bridge player and spent numerous hours playing cards with her many friends. She was an amazing cook and was especially well known for her angel food cake. Dorothy enjoyed watching sports, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes and loved to read. In fact, it was a challenge for the Audubon Library to find books she hadn’t already read. Above all, most important to her were her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her family and her many friends.

Preceding Dorothy in death were her husband, Robert “Bob” Groteluschen; her great-grandson, Noah Sheets; her parents; her sister, Thelma Hansen; her brother Lyle H. and wife Lorraine Hansen; her sisters-in-law, Lila Jean and husband Harold I. Jensen and LuAnn and husband Lowell “Coop” Cooper; her in-laws, Ted and Laura Groteluschen; her brother-in-law, William “Bill” Groteluschen; and her infant brother-in-law, James Groteluschen.

Survivors include her children: Roger and wife Rose Groteluschen of Marshalltown, Iowa; Janelle Groteluschen of Fort Dodge, Iowa; and Jon and wife Jane Groteluschen of Fort Dodge; her grandchildren: David and wife Caitlin Groteluschen of Green Bay, Wisconsin; Jennifer and husband Jason August of Marshalltown; Mark and wife Mackenzie Groteluschen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Beth and husband Cameron Sheets of West Des Moines, Iowa; Lindsey and husband Aaron Stock of Urbandale, Iowa; Amy and husband Matt Guenther of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Drew Groteluschen and significant other Maria Weiland of Huxley, Iowa; her step-grandchildren: Ashley Miller of San Antonio, Texas, and Adam and wife Molly Miller of Fort Dodge; her great-grandchildren: Ayla, Landry, Harper, Emory, Dane, Ryker, Jefferson, Ezra, Willem, Hallie, Axl, Penelope, Theo, Samuel, Pearl, and Teddy Mae; her step-great-grandchildren: Bentley and Charlie; her sisters-in-law: Joan and husband Alfonso Valenzuela of Tucson, Arizona, and Joyce Groteluschen of Audubon; her brother-in-law, Paul Walther of Audubon; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 9:30 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church until the time of the service. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 10:30 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon with Pastor Sara Hill officiating. Inurnment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. Honorary casket bearers are Lyle H. Hansen, Lynette Allison, Todd Cooper, Tom Jensen, Paul Groteluschen, and Maria Valenzuela. The family appreciates the many expressions of care and concern. Memorials will be directed toward the Avenue of Flags, the Audubon Library, Cystic Fibrosis research, and the Rose Theater Foundation.

*** Dorothy's Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be broadcast live on our Facebook page at KESSLER FUNERAL HOMES INC on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 10:30 A.M. ***