Dorothy May SyWassink, age 97, of Letts, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Funeral services for Dorothy will be 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 22, 2024 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Columbus Junction. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery at a later date. Visitation for Dorothy will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial has been established. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.
Dorothy May Zimmermann was born on May 25, 1927 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of George and Martha Faye (Lloyd) Zimmermann. Dorothy graduated from Davenport High School and went on to continue her education at the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. Dorothy began her teaching career in several one room school houses throughout Muscatine County and was even able to continue teaching as she later became the mother of seven children. Dorothy was united in marriage to Donald SyWassink on February 18, 1950 in Muscatine. Together, Dorothy and Don labored years in making their dream of raising Guernsey Dairy cattle along with Chester White hogs come to life. Dorothy was actively involved in several dairy and community organizations which included the Iowa Guernsey Breeders Association, American Guernsey Association, Farm Bureau, Swiss Valley Farms, 4-H leader, pie judge at the Grandview 4th of July Celebration. Dorothy received several Dairy Industry recognitions including the Master Guernsey Breeder Award in 2002.
Over her many years Dorothy had found time to work at several places such as; Gloria’s in Muscatine, Dry Goods Store, the grocery store in Grandview and selling cheese from the dairy. Dorothy worked at the Rock Island Arsenal during World War II.
Dorothy was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Columbus Junction, where she served on the Altar and Rosary Society. She enjoyed quilting and sewing, making several beautiful pieces for family and friends.
Dorothy will be deeply missed by her children, Marian (Bill) Vavra of Wichita, KS, Joan (Allen) Muhs of West Des Moines, Iowa, Bob (Diane) SyWassink of Letts, IA, Anne (Craig) Haussmann of Oak Grove, MO, Janice (Neil) Jensen of Comstock, WI, Janell (Jim) Seubert of Columbia Heights, MN, and Steven of Letts, IA; many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; sisters, Martha Novak of Wisconsin, Rose Mary (Dean) Muller of Wisconsin and Sarah (John) Howard of Minnesota and several nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald on October 1, 2017 and brother, George Zimmerman, Jr.v