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Dorothy Wendt

October 10, 1935 ~ April 22, 2026

Dorothy May Wendt, 90, of Mechanicsville, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the Clarence Nursing Home, Clarence, Iowa.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, April 27, 2026, Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon, Iowa. Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 28, 2026, First Presbyterian Church, Mechanicsville. Burial: Rose Hill Cemetery, Mechanicsville. A luncheon will follow at the Memorial Building in Mechanicsville. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dorothy was born on October 10, 1935, in Mechanicsville, the daughter of Cornelius “CJ” and Cecil (Shrope) Miller. She graduated from Mechanicsville Consolidated High School in May 1954.

Dorothy was united in marriage to Leroy Wendt on December 8, 1957, on her parents’ 37th wedding anniversary. They were married in the First Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsville, where Dorothy had been a Sunday School teacher, and later trustee and Elder of the church. She sang for many years in the church choir, starting when she was in Jr. High, which at that time she was baptized, and joined the church. She lived in Mechanicsville area all her life.

Dorothy loved music and was blessed with a beautiful singing voice. She sang at weddings and funerals early on. She was apart of the Black Mask Theater in Mechanicsville in the 60’s and 70’s.

Dorothy was in a Twenty’s, Thirty’s, and Forty’s club, a Campfire leader, a Red Hatter, she frequented the coffee club at uptown Mechanicsville, she was active in the Mechanicsville School Alumni Association and helped to start the Mechanicsville History Center Committee.

Dorothy worked many clerical/receptionist jobs, including for Cherry Burrell, Herman Brown, ACT, TVL, and Bridge Community Bank. But her most rewarding job was mom and grandma. She had a giving heart, spent many hours visiting relatives, neighbors, and friends sharing her smile and most likely a chocolate malt.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Sheryl (Robert) Dohmen of Mechanicsville, and David (Sara) Wendt of Mechanicsville; grandchildren, Joshua (Ashley) Dohmen of Starkville, Mississippi, Eric (Ezzy) Dohmen of Seattle, Washington, Nicole (Omar) Duenas of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Caden, Kiah, and Henry Wendt of Mechanicsville; great-granddaughter, Lorelai Dohmen; and son-in-law, Steve Ketelaar of Florida.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Deanna Ketelaar; and siblings, Jimmy Miller and June Eiler.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Clarence Care Center for the wonderful care she was given.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family in care of Dorothy Wendt.

Services

Visitation: Monday, April 27, 2026
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services - Mount Vernon
715 10th Avenue SW
Mount Vernon, IA 52314

319-895-8425
info@stewartbaxter.com

Funeral Service: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
10:30 am

Mechanicsville Presbyterian Church
408 East First Street
Mechanicsville, IA 52306

319-432-6431

Burial: Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Rose Hill Cemetery
North Jefferson Street
Mechanicsville, IA 52306

563-432-7756

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  1. Sara,
    I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother in-law. I remember her so fondly coming into the store, she was always such a lovely lady and so pleasant. I always enjoyed visiting with her. You and Dave have lost a very special person. Smile when thinking of her, as she was always smiling.
    You are in my thoughts,
    Annamae Baker

  2. So sorry to hear of Dorothy’s death. Many years ago she and I were both members of the Black Mask Theater in Mechanicsville and in the musical “George M” we sang a song in a trio. I always enjoyed her company. You have my sympathy.

  3. Dorothy brought joy and love to everyone around her. I enjoyed her visits and visiting their home in my childhood.

    She was a good cousin and a great friend to Mom, Evelyn Wethington. Dorothy visited mom many times when she was in the nursing home, which made Mom’s Day.

    I wish I had heard Dorothy sing. The good news is I got to hear her laughter many times. I know she’s singing and laughing in heaven with Mom.


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