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Dorothy Ann Rothfus, 98, of Woodward, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at King’s Gardens Campus of Perry Lutheran Homes.
A memorial service honoring Dorothy’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on August 25, 2025, at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Perry Chapel, with visitation one hour prior, beginning at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family for a later designation in Dorothy’s name.
Dorothy was born July 1, 1927, in Ogden, Iowa, the daughter of Albert Winfield and Anna Erika (England) Nystrom. She graduated from Ogden High School in 1942.
On February 27, 1949, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Lawrence F. Rothfus at Swede Valley Lutheran Church near Ogden. Together, they farmed in the Woodward area. Dorothy was a devoted member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bouton, where she was active in the Women’s Church Group and always willing to lend a hand with church activities.
Dorothy’s life was marked by hard work, generosity, and hospitality. She enjoyed baking, cooking, sewing quilt tops for the church women, and tending to her garden. She raised chickens and sold eggs to local customers, cared for both her mother and mother-in-law, and was always ready to help anyone in need. She loved to visit with neighbors and friends, often dropping everything to greet a guest at the door. Dorothy and Lawrence also enjoyed camping and dancing together, and she once began telegraph training school.
She is survived by her children: Barbara (Eddie) Heuton, Beth (Bill) Stufflebeam, and Ron Rothfus; grandchildren: Amanda (Joshua) Cross, Melissa (Josh) Polier, Sabrina Stufflebeam, Megan Folk, Lance Stufflebeam, Becky Rothfus, Christopher Rothfus, Julia Hutton, Skyler Heuton, AnnaMae Hutton, and Matthew Rothfus; great-grandchildren: Zoey Cross, Nicklas Polier, Jaccub Crowe, Leon Stufflebeam, Jayden Wasson, Leah Bachmeyer, Jade Bachmeyer, Wyitt Polier, and Shyann Twiss; brother, Reuben Nystrom; sisters-in-law, Marie Olson and Margaret Nystrom; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Anna Nystrom; her husband, Lawrence F. Rothfus; son, Rex Lee; daughter, Linda SuAnn; grandson, Fred Ralph; in-laws, Fred and Lena Rothfus; and brothers, Eugene, Bernard, Loren, Eric, Paul, and Richard Nystrom.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the King’s Gardens staff for their exceptional care of our mother, and to our family and friends for their love and support.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1721 Park St., Perry, IA 50220
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
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