Dorothy Ruth Koerner, 94, of Groveland, California, died on September 6, 2015. Memorial services will be held at the Groveland Evangelical Free Church on September 21 at 2 PM. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heart Association or The Gideons International. Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center assisted the family with local arrangements.
Dorothy was born on January 7, 1921, in Grundy Center, Iowa, the daughter of Dr. James Gibson and Ruth Elaine (Williamson) Dalzell. She graduated from Grundy Center High School in 1939 and attended college at the University of Northern Iowa. During World War II, she worked as a telephone operator near Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California. She returned to Iowa upon the completion of her brother Bob's tour of duty. She met her future husband, Vance Koerner, while teaching at the elementary school in Greene, Iowa. They united in marriage on December 21, 1951. After the birth of their son Mark in 1953, they moved to Grundy Center. Dorothy resumed her teaching career in 1959 and continued until 1980, when she retired to care for her ailing mother.
Dorothy and her husband enjoyed swing dancing and traveling. After Vance's death on January 1, 2005, Dorothy moved to Groveland, California to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Vanessa and Mark Hall. She quickly made many friends.
Dorothy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Grundy Center. She had a lifelong love of cats, music, and laughter. Her family misses seeing her infectious smile and hearing her sing along to the "oldies", but they are comforted by knowing that she is with Jesus and her loved ones in heaven.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Robert Dalzell, her husband Vance, and her son, Dr. Mark Koerner.
Survivors include daughter Vanessa (Mark) Hall, grandchildren Megan Nash and Neal Koerner, one great-grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.