Dorothy M. Mulder, 100, of Reinbeck, Iowa died Sunday, October 2, 2005, in Reinbeck. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M., Thursday, October 6, 2005, at First Presbyterian Church in Reinbeck, with Pastor Randy Mc-Grady Beach and Pastor Larry Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow at the Reinbeck City Cemetery in Reinbeck. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 5, 2005, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at French Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck, and there will be a service by the Coinette Chapter #273 of the Eastern Star at 6:00 P.M. Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in Reinbeck.
Dorothy was born March 24, 1905, at home on the farm in Tama County-Grant Township, the daughter of Edward M. and Mary H. (Whannel) Mitchell. She attended country school and Reinbeck High School, graduating with the Class of 1923. Dorothy then attended Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, and earned her teaching certificate. On June 23, 1926, she was united in marriage to John Jacob Mulder and they established a home in Reinbeck, where she has lived ever since. Dorothy taught in the Reinbeck Public School, teaching 5th Grade for eleven years. She retired in 1968. Dorothy's husband Jake died on November 22, 1970.
Dorothy had been an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Reinbeck. Over the years she served as an elder, deacon, Sunday School Teacher, President of the Presbyterian Women's Organization, and volunteered in many other church activities. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Order of the Eastern Star-Coinette Chapter #273, Past Matron?s Club, and Mother Advisor of Rainbow for Girls. Dorothy also served thirteen years on the Public Library Board and was Secretary/Treasurer of the Reinbeck Friendly Seniors. Her life was filled with her love of family, sewing, quilting, ceramics, baking and crafts.
She is survived by one son John R. Mulder and his wife Jeanne of Denver, Colorado; two daughters Marian Heckroth of Reinbeck, Iowa; Ruth Lukian and her husband Robert of Scottsdale, Arizona; twelve grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; three great-great- grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jake; an infant daughter Beverly Jean Mulder; two sisters Jessie Strohbehn and Ruth Fovall; four brothers Paul, Bill, Peter, and Ted Mitchell.