"Our sincere sympathy, Mark & Deb McDermott"
Dorothy E. Hankemeier, 94, of Delmar, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at Wheatland Manor in Wheatland, Iowa.
A public visitation will be held from 12 P.M. to 1 P.M. on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. A private funeral will be held and later uploaded to the funeral home website following the service. Burial will be at Union Cemetery, rural Maquoketa, Iowa.
Masks and social distancing will be required due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Dorothy Evelyn Paulsen was born on October 5, 1926 in Clinton County, Iowa, to Marvin Albert and Norma Anita (Galloway) Paulsen. She married Clarence Edwin Hankemeier on September 10, 1950 at the home of her parents in rural Lost Nation, Iowa. Four children were born to this union, Nancy, Lynn, Lori and Dale.
Following graduation from Elwood High School, Dorothy went to Cadet Nursing School and interned at the Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. Penicillin was the cure all during that period and was given to children hourly or several times a day. Upon graduating, Dorothy moved back to Iowa where she worked for Dr. Swift in Maquoketa as a Surgical Nurse. After her marriage in 1950, she became a housewife, raised a family, and farmed with her husband doing chores and tending to little animals. People would stop by often to purchase eggs from her. After the children were out of school, Dorothy returned to nursing and worked at Crestridge Nursing Home in Maquoketa until retiring.
In retirement, Dorothy enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening and flowers. She also liked listening to Country and Polka music, doing crossword puzzles, and crocheting.
Those left to honor her memory include her children, Nancy (Steve) Baker of Montrose, CO, Lynn Hankemeier of Tipton, IA, Lori Wenger of Lost Nation, IA, and Dale (Becky) Hankemeier of Elkhart, IA; 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; and brothers Darrell Paulsen of Lost Nation, IA, and Harlan Paulsen of FL. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clarence on September 24, 2000, an infant brother Wayne, and a sister Arla Underwood.
Condolences and memorials may be sent to Carson Celebration of Life Center, 318 West Pleasant Street, Maquoketa, Iowa 52060 c/o Dorothy Hankemeier Family.
The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family. Please feel free to call or stop at the funeral home with notes of support or leave words of comfort on the funeral home website at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
"Our sincere sympathy, Mark & Deb McDermott"
"Nancy, Lynn, Lori and Dale, we are so sorry for your loss. Your mom was the best. I was blessed to have her as my aunt. So many good times, laughs and life lessons with her. Those memories will be cherished forever. Love you all so very much. Karla & Brad"
"Sending hugs and prayers to Dorothy?s family. I have many memories of our family going to Dorothy?s. She was a kind hearted lady! I will be thinking of yous tomorrow as I will not be able to attend. Mark/Karen Gombert"
"With sincere sympathy to Dorothy\'s family. I always enjoyed visiting with her. I am thinking of you at this sad time."
"So sorry to hear of Dorothy\'s death---I will treasure my memories of Arla & I visiting her at the farm. God bless her and ALL of you. I miss not seeing all of you!! Would be fun to see you again when things settle down. Dorothy was a very special friend. Love & Prayers. bev schafer"
"So sorry for your loss Hankemeier family, keeping you all in my prayers"
"Lynn, Our sympathy on the loss of your mother. Ed & Mary Noel"
"Nancy, Lynn, Lori and Dale. Deepest Sympathy to you and your families. Dorothy was a kind and sweet lady. She will surely be missed. I remember the family get together\'s while growing up. Good memories! We won\'t be able to make it to the visitation but will be thinking of you. Jim and Carol Reafsnider"
"Lynn, Lori, and brother Darrell, We are saddened for the loss of Dorothy. She was such a joy to be around with all of her kindness just pouring out to everyone. Sincerely, Cathy and Charlie Easterly"
"Sorry for your loss Lynn"
"My sympathy and love to you all. Your mom was so nice. I always enjoyed visiting with her. Mom liked her, too."
"I remember growing up as neighbors in the Elwood community. My sympathy to Dorothy\'s family."
"My deepest sympathy to Dorothy\'s family. Always a very nice neighbor lady."