Dorothy Wurster
Dorothy Wurster
Dorothy Ann Fox Wurster was born April 23, 1931 in Mahaska County to Leslie and Ella Mae Rose Fox.
She attended Center School, a one-room school, in Monroe Township, Mahaska County. She graduated from Lacey High School in 1948 and enrolled in Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, where she received a Limited Elementary Certificate. Her first teaching experience was in the same Center School she had attended.
On June 2, 1950 Dorothy was united in marriage to Howard Eugene Wurster of Clearfield, Iowa. Three children were born to this union, Katheryn Joan, Rosann Marie, and Gary Allen. They lived on a farm outside Tingley, Iowa from 1954 until 1996, when they relocated to northeast Iowa.
Dorothy entered Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa and graduated in 1970. In 1988 she earned a Master’s Degree from Drake University, Des Moines.
She taught 30 years, mostly in the East Union School District, Afton, Iowa.
Dorothy was active in the United Methodist Church, Tingley, Iowa, where she served as UMW president, chairman of the official board, and taught the high school Sunday School class and later the young adult class for a total of 42 years.
Dorothy was a 4-H leader and was active in Ringgold County politics. She led a support group during the farm crisis in the 1980s. One of the highlights of her life was testifying before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee of the 100th Congress in 1987. She spoke on the problems affecting children and farm families. She received a standing ovation.
Dorothy stressed to her children the importance of education, a strong work ethic, and striving for excellence.
Dorothy and Howard were happiest when involved with activities of their children and later activities of their grandchildren.
Dorothy passed away Jan. 24, 2018 at Aase Haugen Senior Services, Decorah, Iowa.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 3, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Elgin. Burial will take place at a later date.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her mother and father; her only brother, Robert Fox, and his wife, Nancy; her in-laws, Herman and Shella Wurster; and her brother-in-law Willis Wurster.
Dorothy leaves to mourn: her husband of 67½ years, Howard; children Katheryn Russi of Decorah, Iowa, and stepchildren Chris (Abby) Russi and children Isaac and Adrian of Rochester, Minn., and Jen (Randy) Light and children Cale, Chance, and Piper of Concord, N.C.; Rose Schutte (Michael) of Castalia, Iowa, and children Leisl Schutte of Castalia, IA and Greg Schutte of Sioux City, Iowa; and Gary Wurster (Robin) of Fayette, Iowa, and children Holly Mendralla and child Allison of Elgin, Ill., and Stefan (Jolene) Wurster and children Emma, Gavin, and Sumerlin of Onslow, Iowa; also nieces Cynthia, Laura, and Patricia and their families (Bob and Nancy’s daughters); sister-in-law Lois Wurster (Willis) and her daughters Gloria, Brenda, Connie, and Marcia and their families; and a host of good friends. 6u6