Doretha Hasselman

Oskaloosa. Doretha Hasselman, 94, of Oskaloosa, died Monday, March 24, 2025, at her home in Oskaloosa. She was born July 6, 1930, in rural Beacon, Iowa, the daughter of M.C. and Anna Klyn DeBruin. She attended a country school in Mahaska County. On June 29, 1950, she was united in marriage to Homer Hasselman at Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. To this union four children were born, Dennis, Diane, Dean, and Douglas. Doretha devoted her time to caring for her family and home. She also helped Homer and the family on the farm. She was a devoted member of Central Church in Oskaloosa where she had served as a Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School volunteer. She enjoyed volunteering for Meals on Wheels, crocheting, and getting together with her ladies' group. She and Homer enjoyed traveling and she always looked forward to Sunday afternoon rides in the Model T to get ice cream. She was always ready for a "quick" trip to Prairie Meadows to inspect the slot machines. She was known to have a lead foot as she had a continuous game of cat and mouse with the highway patrol looking for speeders. Her luck was not so good in this game, but she was proud of her continuing education certificate she earned while attending driving school for too many speeding tickets. She will be remembered for her kind spirit and quick wit.
The last few years she thoroughly enjoyed baking, watching and feeding the birds, as well as playing hide and mostly seek with her cat.
Her family includes her three children, Diane (David) Burkhardt of Charles City, Iowa, Dean (Pat) Hasselman of Renton, Washington, and Douglas (Leann) Hasselman of Oskaloosa; a daughter in law, Ann Hasselman of Ottumwa; eight grandchildren, Katelyn (Matthew) Clark, Tyler (Kailey) Hasselman, Denise (Brian) Stout, Ann (Bryan) Ackerman, John (Sasha) Burkhart, Kelly Goudy, Kurt (Jacque) Moore, and Kyle Moore; and many great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of over 65 years Homer Hasselman on January 14, 2016; her parents; a son, Dennis Hasselman; and three brothers, Larry DeBruin, Paul DeBruin, and Ralph DeBruin.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the Central Church in Oskaloosa with Reverends Jon Nelson and Tom Palmer officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday, March 28, 2025, after 12 noon in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel on Friday evening from 5-7 to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.