"I am so sad! Mort was one of the funniest guys I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I always loved to hear his voice on the phone saying "guess who this is?". Out of all of the insurance agents...I always knew his voice! Randy, please know you are in my prayers. He was quite a character, and the world will be a sadder place without him. Take care of yourself...and God Bless you and your family."
In loving memory of
Morton Dodds
August 9, 1924 - September 26, 2008
Morton E. Dodds, 84 of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Friday, September 26, 2008, at the Park Place Long Term Care Unit. Visitation will begin after 12:00 noon on Monday, September 29, 2008, at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday evening. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 30, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant, with the Rev. Herb Shafer officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Log Village at Midwest Old Threshers. Born August 9, 1924, in Burlington, IA, Morton Ellsworth was the son of Ewing and Emma Elizabeth King Dodds. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines in 1942. On June 6, 1946, Morton married Barbara Hill in Austin, TX. She died October 11, 1989. On October 6, 1990, he married Audrey Johnson Kramer in Mt. Pleasant. She survives. Morton managed a shoe store while living in Austin, TX. After returning to Iowa he farmed near Yarmouth. In 1959, he began selling insurance and established the Dodds Insurance Agency. In 1975, Morton and his son Randy established Business Analysis, a regional insurance brokerage firm. Morton was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant. He served as a Mt. Pleasant city councilman for twelve years and was a strong supporter of the Log Village at Midwest Old Threshers. Morton was a former Rotary Club member. Along with the Elefson Family, he established the Chapel at the Forest Home Cemetery. He enjoyed traveling worldwide and loved wintering in Arizona. Along with his wife Audrey, Morton is survived by one son, Randy (Peggy) Dodds of Mt. Pleasant; three step-children, John Kramer and Susan (Perry) Kramer Jones all of Ames, IA; and Julie (Richard Rude) Kramer of Sun City West, AZ. He is also survived by one sister, Donna Lee (Bob) Gabeline of Yarmouth, IA; and one daughter-in-law, Ha Diep Dodds of Albuquerque, NM. Also surviving are numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Morton was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Barbara, and a son Kent Dodds.
Tributes
"Our hearts ache with the sorrow Milt's family must have. We will remember the fun times with Mort and Audrey both in Arizona and Iowa or wherever C.G. took us. Thinking of Mort always leaves a smile on our faces as he was an absolute joy to be around whether it was having a sing along or riding the merry-go-round. If only more folks could have the optimistic attitude that Mort had, the world would be a better place. He was truly a forever friend."
"It was with surprise and sorrow that I read in the Des Moines Sunday Register of Mort's death. Marge and I recall the good times we had with Mort and Babs while I was Senior Pastor at Mt Pleasant 1976-1982. We enjoyed their friendship and their support and commitment to the Church. Both the community and the Church will miss Mort."