In loving memory of

Dorthy Anna Zeisneiss
November 22, 1926 - December 15, 2020

Dorthy Anna Wirth Zeisneiss, 94, of Colo, Iowa passed December 15th, 2020, in Nevada, Iowa. Visitation will be from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at Fredregill Funeral & Cremation care in Zearing, Iowa. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be, held privately for family, on Friday, December 18, 2020 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Colo, Iowa with Father Rick Dagit officiating. Her service will be live streamed at those wanting to view may visit https://www.facebook.com/Fredregill-Family-Funeral-Homes-Baxter-Zearing-149323271778320.
Dorothy was born on November 22, 1926 joining her older sister Marie. The family grew to seven girls and two boys for parents Lawrence and Anna (Elsner) Wirth. They grew up on the farm in Gilbert, IA which was on the Story Boone county line. Dorthy's childhood home was close to St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church which helped form her devote faith sustaining her throughout her life. After high school graduation Dorthy and Marie lived in Nevada, where Dorthy worked at the Nevada poultry factory. She would go to Farm Bureau dances where she met Robert Zeisneiss. Dorthy and Robert were married on Jan. 26th, 1950, during a snowstorm. The ceremony captured on an LP record. Robert and Dorthy started their married life on the family farm in rural Colo and brought to this union 11 children. Dorthy was a part of a two-parent working household long before it was the norm, working the four to midnight shift at Donnelley Marketing in the production line from 1964 until 1983. Dorthy held several positions and retired as third shift Supervisor on the production floor. There was also Donnelley homework which involved stuffing envelopes and whoever was home helped. In her spare time Dorthy gardened and canned, always making room for her flowers. She made lasting memories over the years by sewing clothes for the gang, nieces and nephews, stuffed animals, ornaments, and quilts. For several years Dorthy sold animals at the local craft shows and of course the church bizarre. Some of her most memorable sewing projects included making graduation lap guilts for the grandchildren. Starting in 1987 thru 2014, Dorthy made a quilt and when done drew at Christmas one of her Children's names, until all 11 had one. Dorthy completed her last quilt, all of them hand stitched at age 87, using the first quilt square she ever made. Dorthy was actively involved in church, a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Colo, IA. Dorthy held various positions on committees over the years until at around age 80, she thought it was time for the younger generation to take the lead. Dorthy believed faith would carry you through the highs and the lows of life. There's always a reason, she would say.Once retired she enjoyed giggle parties with her siblings, that she attended until she was 92. Cards were part of every family gathering. The Wirth family always enjoyed a good hand of 500 which they played with their parents and carried on to the next generations. As mom would say at the end of every call, by now, be good.
Surviving to cherish memories are her children: Carol (Jim) Eyanson, Claudia (Cliff) Dalbey, Curtis (Nancy), Cathy (Gene) Hagist, Chris (Chub) Myers, Clark (Robin), Calvin (Sue), Carla (Dave) Sidles, Clay and Carter; 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren to carry on her love for family and faith; her sisters Marlene (Jim) Michaud, Anna Tressler and Louise Johnson; brother Armold (Joyce) Wirth; sisters-in-law Marlene Wirth and Sarah Mattingly.
Dorthy was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years Robert, daughter Charlotte, her parents, sisters and their spouses, Marie (Ray) Swenson, Rita (Don) Bielefeldt, Alma (Don) Heintz, brother Leonard Wirth, brothers-in-law Richard Johnson, Darrell Tressler and Sam Mattingly.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Colo or Cathy Hagist, 506 6th St. NW, Altoona, Iowa, 50009.
Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care has been entrusted with the care of Dorthy and her family.

Tributes

Dee Drummer wrote on Dec 22, 2020:

"I always loved Dorothy's laugh. It was so unique - you knew Dorothy was having a great time when you heard it. That laugh is already missed. I still have my stuffed alligator, too. It's missing a leg but that means it was well loved!"

Kathy Ness wrote on Dec 18, 2020:

"She was always a kind and caring towards my grandma/family. Your Mom and Dad both meant a lot to our family--special people!!! Mary and Jim McCoy families"

Deb McIntosh Flaherty wrote on Dec 18, 2020:

"So sorry to hear about Dorthy's passing. I love the photo of Dorthy as a young woman. She looked amazing! I had never seen one before and it makes my own mom come to mind. Dorthy was one of the first women in Colo who made it seem like home after Don and I were married and Colo become my new home. I admired her so much for everything that she did and she was so easy going even when she was in charge, and her smile and laugh were wonderful! My deepest sympathies to all of her kids and grandkids. "

Marti Steelman wrote on Dec 18, 2020:

"So sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. Her generation were amazing women going about the business of raising kids, gardening/canning, preparing homemade meals, sewing clothes and then making quilts from the scraps of fabric. Hold those memories close to your heart and sharing them will keep her legacy alive for another generation."

Diana Swanson Meier wrote on Dec 17, 2020:

"I knew who your mom was but never really knew her. She sounds like an amazing women. Thankful that you had her for so many years. My condolences. "

Tom and Dee Carlson wrote on Dec 16, 2020:

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to you folks with the passing of Dorthy. She put up with a lot with us as kids, mostly at the State Fair. She was another of our "Moms" of our group of friends, and she'll be missed. "