Dorothy Bliss Albert

Dorothy Bliss Albert, 95, of Vinton, passed peacefully at Windsor Manor on Monday, December 1, 2025. She had recently attended an "intimate" Thanksgiving with nearly 40 members of her family (not everyone could make it) and was looking forward to her 96th birthday at the end of the month.

Memorial services will be Friday, December 12, 2025, at First Christian Church, Vinton, with Pastor Connie Wacht as Celebrant. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, December 11, at the church, and also 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be held at a later date. Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home is caring for Dorothy and her family.

Dorothy was born on December 29, 1929, in Sullivan, IL-the youngest of five children born to Ernest and Mabel Ozier. Although she arrived during the Great Depression, she always said that living on a farm assured they never went hungry-although it also assured she was never interested in picking beans or preserving any produce in her adult life.

She graduated from Lovington High School in 1947 and from the University of Illinois with a degree in English in 1951. While at college, her roommate, Joan Bliss, thought she would be a good match for her brother and it turned out she was right. Dorothy was married to John Bliss on June 24, 1951 and they were married for 31 years until his death in 1982. She later married Roger Albert on February 6, 1988 and they were married for 35 years before he died in 2019. Dorothy felt she had been blessed to spend so many happy years with "two wonderful husbands."

She often said that Vinton was the perfect place to live. Dorothy was a dedicated member of the First Christian Church and the community. Some of her volunteer involvement included: Vinton ministry board to provide assistance to those temporarily unhomed, volunteer for the crisis line, meals on wheels delivery, various community boards, president of the Vinton Women's Club, president of Act I Community Theater, member of the Benton County Home Ec Committee, Vinton Community Betterment Committee, Vinton Newcomers Chairman and a fixture serving concessions weekly at the Vinton Palace Theater. Dorothy and Roger also took their volunteering on the road and served for several years with Elder Hostel improving trails and facilities in park lands across the US.

In her "free" time she loved to play bridge and she loved to walk. She was a member of Class in Literature and Cedar Number of 5 of Mount Auburn. She had a flair for drama and performance and when she was not dressed up as a werewolf to terrify the grandchildren she could be found filling in to give a sermon at church (an event which filled the pews), yodeling for a talent contest, performing on stage with Act 1 community theater, or pulling in members of the family to help in entertaining at various events and venues. She was a woman of unwavering optimism in all things and for all people. She was a whistler, a singer (usually the wrong lyrics), a prankster, and she lived larger than life itself as long as she was able.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husbands, John Bliss and Roger Albert; siblings: Elnora Cooper, Aileen McElroy, Paul Ozier and Wayne Ozier; stepson, Jim Albert; her adored and first grandson, Ben Sutton; and great- grandson, Royce Sutton.

She is survived by her 4 daughters: Jama (Steve) Runyan of LaPorte City, Jill (Dave) Sutton of Vinton, Judy (Pat) Baird of Cedar Rapids and Jennifer Bliss (Eric Hoffman) of Iowa City; stepson, Dann (Nancy) Albert of Vinton; stepdaughter, Ann (Darwin) Claude of IL; stepdaughter-in-law, Melissa Albert of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren: Terra (Beau) Wood, Brook (Steve) Skram, Kristin (Ryan) Lensing, Scott (Sarah) Sutton, Tracey (Devon) Myers, Melanie Baird (Phil Hawbaker), Blake Hansen, Rachel (Joel) Neve, Will Hancock and Katherine (Ian) Stuelke; step-grandchildren: Alyssa (Brad) Kaplan, Matt (Kelly) Claude, Jill (Cory) Chandler, Amanda (Brian) Grove, Eliana Hoffman and Trent McQueen; 32 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandson.

Special thanks to Dorothy's friends and compassionate caregivers at Windsor Manor in Vinton.

Instead of flowers, please consider a contribution in Dorothy's honor to First Christian Church, Vinton, or a charity of your choice.

Mom, Grandma, thanks for showing us a life filled with courage, optimism and laughter. We will carry your lessons with us always.