Doris Andera

Doris Andera, age 97, of rural Fort Atkinson, IA, passed away on Friday, January 9, 2026, in her home surrounded by family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 207 Church St., Spillville, Iowa, with Rev. Henry Huber presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday morning at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to Howard County Community Hospice, 235 8th Ave. W., Cresco, IA 52165.

Doris Andera was born on April 8, 1928 to George and Viola (Kostka) Zoulek near Spillville. She attended School in Spillville and graduated from high school in Calmar.

On May 1, 1946, Doris married Louis Andera at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, beginning a lifelong devotion to her family, faith and community. She was an active and generous member of St. Wenceslaus Church.

Doris was a loving, caring and nurturing mother whose kindness touched everyone she met. An amazing cook, she was well known for having fresh-baked pies, cookies, bread, cinnamon rolls, kolaches and more waiting for her children when they came home from school. Her delicious meals and generous portions were always a favorite of hired farm help. She took great pride in her large garden, instilling in her children an appreciation for good nutritious food. Doris maintained a warm and welcoming home -- always neat and full of love -- even while raising six children.

Her hands were never idle. In her free-time, she enjoyed embroidering and making quilts for her grandchildren. Selfless by nature, she consistently put the needs of others before her own. She worked hard on the farm, cared for the lawn and garden, and remained sharp and engaged with current events well into her 97th year. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren were truly blessed to have known her. Everyone who came to her door was welcomed with respect and, very likely, offered food and drink and invited to help themselves to the always full candy dish -- just one more reflection of the generous spirit that made her the kind of mother everyone would hope to have.

Doris was survived by her six children: Sue Knight of Brooklyn Park, MN; Nancy (Dean) Elofson of Tucson, AZ; Julia Andera of Decorah; Joane (Maurice) Kulish of rural Calmar; Paul (Wendy) Andera of rural Fort Atkinson; and Dawn Andera of rural Calmar; twenty grandchildren; thirty-two great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; her brother, Jack (Joyce) Zoulek of rural Calmar; and a sister-in-law, Janet Andera of Cresco.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Louis Andera; her brother, Donald (Sandy) Zoulek; one son-in-law, Rick Knight; one great-grandson Dominic Krech; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.