Dorothy Am Zielske

Dorothy Ann Marie Zielske, daughter of Albert and Edna (Ahrens) Zierke, born February 7, 1937 in Blue Earth, Minnesota. She passed away June 18, 2025 at the age of 88 at Valley Vue Care Center, in Armstrong, Iowa.
Dorothy spent her formidable younger years in and around Faribault County, Minnesota graduating from Elmore High School. While being raised on a farm northeast of Elmore she developed a love for horses that would later become her life's passion.
On a Saturday night in a dance hall with her girlfriends, she spotted Dean Zielske and the cherubs sang. Winning her heart, they eloped a few months later and were wed in the Methodist Parsonage in Swea City on March 4, 1956. Mind you this was while Dorothy's parents were visiting her sister in Rochester, MN.
Dorothy and Dean settled in Swea City and her dream began to raise Arabian horses. Dorothy showed Arabians throughout the Midwest and as far reaching as Scottsdale AZ. As a member of the Minnesota and Iowa Arabian Horse Associations she was asked to judge classes on several occasions. Dorothy became a profound breeder in the Arabian world known for her keen eye for traditional conformation.
Raising 3 children who were avid sports participants Dorothy never missed a game in support of her children, commonly voicing her opinion, be it to the coach, the referees or the competition. As a lifelong member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church she served on several circles.
Left to cherish Dorothy's memory are her three children: Mark and his partner Renee of Swea City; Wendy of Swea City; and Mitch and his wife Rhonda also of Swea City.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Dean, her parents, and all of her siblings.
In lieu of flowers, Dorthy's family requests donations to your local humane society in her name.