Dorothy M. Hess, 96, former longtime resident of Johnson County, died Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, at Crestview Nursing and Rehab Center in West Branch. Memorial services will be 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Private family graveside services will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Dorothy’s memory to Mercy Foundation or Iowa City Senior Center.

Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web at www.gayandciha.com.

Dorothy Marie Rugg was born Sept. 9, 1916, in rural Washington County, Iowa, near Wellman, the daughter of Frank and Nellie (Smith) Rugg. She attended Wellman Schools, graduating from Wellman High School in 1934. She married Clifford Hess, an area farmer, on Feb. 10, 1938. The couple farmed near Windham since their marriage until retiring in 1992.

She was a member of the Windham Community Church, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs. She enjoyed quilting, and when she moved into Iowa City from the farm enjoyed doing this at the Iowa City Senior Center. As the mother of seven children and living on the farm, she led a very busy life, but always there to support, encourage and care for her family!

Her family includes her children, William (Carol) Hess of Cedar Rapids, Terry (Thelia) Hess of Iowa City, Nancy Hess of Ham Lake, Minn., Wendy (Jeffrey) Goldstein of Oak Park, Calif., Jo Ellen (Barry) Sittlow of Hudson, Wis., and Jon Hess of Coralville; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clifford; daughter, Sandra Hess, granddaughter, Rebecca Goldstein; and five brothers, Clyde, Lyle, Laurence, Walter “Doc” and James Rugg.

Published Feb. 4, 2013 in The Gazette