Dorothy Mae (Mueller) Zittergruen

DOROTHY MAE (MUELLER) ZITTERGRUEN
Garnavillo

Dorothy passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at HCI Hospice Care at Kavanagh House in Des Moines. She was 90 years old.
She was a proud resident of Garnavillo, Iowa, but had moved to Kennybrook Village, a senior living facility in Grimes, four years ago to be closer to family and her physicians due to health issues.
Dorothy was the daughter of Fritze and Minnie (Kluth) Mueller. She was born on the family farm near St. Olaf on May 24, 1928. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Farmersburg, Iowa. Dorothy graduated from Farmersburg High School in 1945. Following graduation, she worked at the grocery store in St. Olaf.
On May 7, 1947, she was united in marriage to Harlan Zittergruen at St. John's Lutheran Church in Farmersburg. They lived on his family's farm by Garber for seven years and then moved to Garnavillo when they bought the IGA grocery store. They owned and worked at the grocery store for 23 years. After selling the store, Dorothy then worked at the Kountry Manor for 20 years and Tower Living in Garnavillo for five years.
Harlan and Dorothy had five sons: Brian (Linda) in Muskego, Wis., and their daughters, Kristi and Kelli (Josh Le Duc); John (Bonnie) in Urbandale and their children, Nikki (Tad Geiger), Nate and his children, Baya, Pax and Clive, and Tyler (Katie) and their son, Jack, and baby girl due in August; Gary (Jenny) in Van Horne and their children, Jeff (Chelsey) and their children, Kinley, Cooper, Coen and Katie, Tom (Katie Upah), and Michael; Mark (Maureen) in Cedar Rapids, and their girls, Ellie, Emma (Zach Kockler), Anna, Kara and Maggie; and David (Nancy) in Chaska, Minn., and their children, Joe and Rachel. That makes 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and another due in August. In addition, Dorothy is survived by many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.
Dorothy was very proud of "her boys" and their families and enjoyed spending time with them. Her greatest joy was showing her latest pictures of her family to visitors and, we all know she loved to talk, especially on the phone.
Dorothy was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Garnavillo for over 60 years and proud to be a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Besides loving her big family, she made others feel like her family too. She was an excellent cook who loved to bake and give treats away. No one ever went hungry at Dorothy's house and usually left carrying a plate of treats to take home. She also loved to cheer on her beloved Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Harlan; her parents; her brother, Reuben (Ellen); two grandchildren, Scott and Mary Kate; and a great-granddaughter, Kylee.
The family wishes to thank Kennybrook Village in Grimes where Dorothy lived the last four years. The caring staff not only treated her with dignity and respect, they became very dear friends to her. The family also wants to thank Kavanagh House for helping her and us in her final days. We feel very fortunate to have had both of these caring facilities help us care for Dorothy.
Arrangements are being handled by Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, 001 S. Industrial Park Rd., Garnavillo. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, Garnavillo. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, June 13, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Garnavillo.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in her name to her beloved church, St. Peter's Lutheran, Box 99, Garnavillo, IA 52049.