Dorothy M. Heath

Dorothy M. Heath, age 96, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake. Dorothy Marguerite Booth Boyce Heath was born on April 3, 1913 in Forsythe, Illinois to Leonard George Booth and Hilda Elberta (Fisher) Booth. She was baptized in the Methodist Church in Nemaha, Iowa. She graduated from Delaware Consolidated School in Nemaha in 1930 and attended Buena Vista College from 1930-1932, graduating with a teaching certificate. She taught in a rural school in Sac County, Douglas No. 4, from 1932-1935, leaving to get married on August 31, 1935 to Harold David Boyce. They made their home in Storm Lake, Iowa, owning and operating Boyce Produce. Two daughters were born to them: Loretta in 1941 and Bonnie in 1943. In 1955, Dorothy returned to teaching and taught at Crestland in Nemaha until 1975. In 1965, she earned a BA degree from Buena Vista College. On November 20, 1977, Harold died. On June 27, 1987, Dorothy married John Eugene Heath from Hampton, Iowa. She and John were classmates in high school. He died on January 4, 1997. After Johnâ€™s death, Dorothy returned from Hampton to Storm Lake, where she resided at Lake Pointe Villa. Dorothy enjoyed reading, sewing and crocheting, always welcoming a new member of the family with a lovely afghan. Fishing, traveling, gardening and playing cards also brought her much joy. Many of her former students remember her as always wanting them to learn and to succeed. Additionally, she enjoyed meeting and visiting with these former students about their memories of their school days. Family was of greatest importance to Dorothy. She cherished the time she spent with each of them. She enjoyed a long and fulfilling life and will be deeply missed. Survivors include her two daughters and their husbands: Loretta and Bill Barrett of Quimby, Iowa and Bonnie and Ronnie Hatch of Cherokee, Iowa; two step-daughters and their husbands: Marilyn and Rex Raine of Fort Dodge, Iowa and Deb and Larry Behn of Hampton, Iowa; six grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; two great-great granddaughters; four step-great grandchildren; one sister, Carol Rice of Storm Lake, Iowa; one sister-in-law, June Booth of Tracy, Minnesota; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; one sister; and one brother.

Dorothy M. Heath

April 3, 1913 - November 12, 2009