"I only now found out of Dorothy's passing in January 2021. I will miss her. She was a caring and loving person. She was my kindergarten teacher as well as my foster mom for a short time but still remained in touch from time to time. I was recuperating from my bout with cancer around that time but had I known I would have been at the funeral services. My late condolences to the family. RIP Dorothy I will miss you."
In loving memory of
Dorothy Callaway 01/31/2021
November 2, 1925 - January 31, 2021
Dorothy Ann (Fink) Callaway of Conrad, Iowa passed away Sunday, January 31, 2021 at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa after a long battle with cancer. Private family services will be held at the Alice Church of God. Rev. Jim Hartman will be officiating. Interment will be at the Alice Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts made be made to the Alice Church of God or the American Legion Auxiliary. The Anderson Funeral Homes in Conrad has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com
Dorothy was born on November 2, 1925 to Clara Margaret and Ralph R Fink on the family farm near Conrad. She attended the Conrad Consolidated School and graduated in 1943. She continued on to Iowa State Teachers College, now University of Northern Iowa, for two years and later received her B.A. in education from Drake University. She taught elementary grades at Toledo, Conrad, Grundy Center and Eldora, IA schools. Dorothy dearly loved teaching and her students loved her.
Dorothy married Dale Callaway on June 5, 1948 at the Alice Church of God, Conrad, IA where she was a lifetime member. She was the church organist as long as her health permitted.
Dorothy and Dale farmed in Grundy County until their retirement to Conrad in 1988. Dorothy loved gardening and each year always had a huge garden. She was intensely involved in community affairs, a devoted American Legion Auxiliary member, a long-time member of the Tuesday musical club. And how she loved her many cats.
She is survived by her sister, Donna Mincks (Bill) of Cedar Falls, her nieces Kendra Kleespie of Elma, Jane (Brian) Turner of Clive, IA and Susan Pitcher of Gardner, KS. Grandniece Laura (Nathan) Graves of Nevada, IA and grandnephew Andrew (Jordan) Turner of Ankeny, IA, three great great nieces, Scottie Graves, Emma Turner, and Isabelle Graves.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, her sister, Helen Kleespie and her parents. Dorothy will be missed by many family members and friends.
Tributes
"Donna and family, I was just in Conrad last weekend and learned of Dorothy's death. I would have attended the service had I know about it. I considered Dorothy a good friend, classmate, and the last few years almost a soulmate as we both were in our 90's. My sincere sympathy to all her family. Alta Hammond Carmody"
"Besides being a wonderful teacher, Dorothy was a warm, loving and caring person. Sister Betty and I were lucky enough to have her as 2nd grade teacher. When I saw Dorothy at Aunt Faye Smith' s 90th birthday party a couple years ago, Dorothy asked about Betty and shared a memory. That is the kind of person she was. She cared about her students. Dad and mom-Don and Doris-enjoyed Dale and Dorothy through those great Conrad days. Our sympathy to her family. Tom Martin Feb 15, 2021 "
"I was one of those 2nd grade students who loved having Mrs. Callaway as my teacher! She was always fun and kind! (I was named for her sister.) "
"Dorthy was my favorite person I?ve ever cared for, I ended up loving her as if she was my own grandmother. I?m crushed about her passing but I know she?s up in heaven with her kitties happy as can be. So sorry for your loss. Madelyn Williams "
"Mrs. Calloway was my favorite teacher, as it seems she was a favorite teacher for many who were fortunate enough to be in her class. She was a wonderful teacher, and in fact, she is the reason that I wanted to become a teacher. I send my sympathy to her family."
"May all the warm memories in your heart, wrap around you now and give you comfort and peace... GOD'S BLESSINGS Bev and Jerry Gade"
"Dorothy was Jerry's very favorite elementary teacher in Conrad. Lots of fond memories. I, Marjorie. became acquainted with Dorothy thru Tuesday Music Club and Conrad American Legion Auxilary, as well as organist at Alice Church for funerals we had there. A very dependable talented woman. She will be so missed by many. Fone personal memories shared with both Dorothy and Dale, we're boating on the Mississippi. We happened to meet them out on the water and took pucti6of each other in boats. Also , riding HD. Dale would come down to our home, Johnston Funeral Home, and he and Jerry would go for a ride on their HD's. Very special times shared with them both over the years. Sending our Love and Blessings but mostly our Thanks for knowing them both as friends. Jerry and Marjorie Johnston"
"Dorothy is my 1st cousin once removed. What a loss for all of us in the Fink family. Dorothy knew just how to go about setting up a Fink Reunion and led me right through what to do and how to do it!! Kindness and know how describe her well; and the best part was getting to visit with her. Visiting with her was such a pleasure. May God's comfort touch each of you. Marie Smith Peer"
"I loved having Mrs. Callaway as my 2nd grade teacher. She made me feel special in her classroom & every time I saw her in the community over the years. She created many fond memories. She was a treasure to the community. Joyce Stephenson Lenz"
"I had Dorothy as an elementary teacher also. She was a wonderful teacher and even kept a note I wrote at that time and gave it to me at my HS graduation. She was a friend to our family, and an especially dear friend to my Mom in their later years. She will be greatly missed."
"So sorry for your loss. Dorothy was larger than life friend. I never got to have her as a teacher as my school days at Conrad started in 3 rd grade but she was a Fink cousin and I saw her every Sunday at the Alice Church. She accompanied me on the piano when I sang for Church. Always loved her beautiful soul. She will be missed by many as she truly touched a lot of lives. May you truly have a beautiful eternity with God."
"Dorothy was my second grade teacher and I loved her! My mother, Evelyn Phillips, who lived beside the Alice church taught her piano. They remained in touch until mom?s death in 2016. (She was Evelyn Klinefelter).?"
"Dorothy was my second grade teacher at Conrad. What a wonderful person she was and a great teacher! She always made you feel special ! Janet Ralston Fiscus"
"Dorothy was my third grade teacher in Grundy . I have held fond memories of her for many years . She was a beautiful lady and a wonderful teacher . I took her a large bouquet of Gladiolus from my garden last summer . She was elated and remarked how beautiful they were . Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady I said . "
"Dorothy was my husband's kindergarten teacher and a dear family friend. My mom and dad were good friends with them also. Heaven gained another angel for sure. "
"Callaway Family......so sorry to hear of Dorothy's passing. The family is in our thoughts and prayers. Donald & Delores Hauser"
"Dorothy is also survived by her nephew Bob (Nancy) Callaway of Eldora and Judy (Gene) Callaway of Clear Lake and their families. "
"Forever in my heart as Dort. She was an amazing role model for me growing up and always there. Missing you on Earth but happy for you to join Dale in Heaven."
"What a great teacher. Wonder how many teachers can say they had all 4 children of one family. She could say that about the 4 Gale brothers."
"Mrs. Callaway was one of my favorite teachers! She touched so many lives in so many positive ways. "
"Dorothy was such a special lady I can only imagine the reunion she and Dale are having maybe even on a cycle"
"Dorothy was like another grandmother to me and now my children. You were one of the Jr. Auxiliary Leaders when I recall meeting you for the first time.I always enjoyed you playing the music and taking us Christmas Caroling. The music part of our meetings was one of my favorites. You hold a special place in Kate and Kamden?s heart. To this day Kate always remembers ?We make and send Ms. Dorothy?s birthday card before we celebrate my birthday. You know her birthday is the day before mine!? Kate and Kamden have enjoyed having Dorothy and her cats in their life. You will be greatly missed but always in our hearts! Mary, Jeff, Kate, and Kamden Chadwick"
"Heart-broken to learn of Mrs. Callaway's passing. She was my 2nd-grade teacher @ Beaman-Conrad in 1959-60. She was the best teacher! I think I had a school-boy crush on her. I got to see her at a Memorial Day Celebration about 2-3 years ago. I told her how much she meant to me. In retrospect, I'm glad I got to tell her. She lived a long, full life. She will be missed~"
"A long lifetime of good neighbor experiences from Dorothy and late husband Dale!!! Her contributions will be missed!!!"