Dolores (Uthoff) Denson Rawson, 04 Aug 1925 - 18 May 2024

RAWSON, DENSON, UTHOFF, KING, METCALFE, WETJEN, MCVEY, RHINEHART, BEATTY, WITTENBURG, WEAR, ROTHS, BLISS

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 5/29/2024 at 14:53:06

Dolores Denson Rawson, 98, of Cedar Rapids, entered into Jesus's loving arms on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, due to a stroke the previous day. She was surrounded by family. Services: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Prairie Bible Church, 9255 Atlantic Dr. SW, Cedar Rapids; visitation from 9-10:45 a.m., prior to the service. Burial: Private family burial at Lenox Cemetery, Norway, IA at a later time. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo, is assisting with arrangements. The service will be live-streamed; the link will be provided at https://klosterfuneralhome.com. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, plants or other gifts, donations be made to Days for Girls, His Hands Free Clinic, New Jerusalem Church (Norway, Iowa), Prairie Bible Church building fund, or the Dolores Rawson Fund at DMACC Foundation.

Dolores was born Aug. 4,1925, to Henry and Florence Uthoff at home in Benton County; the third of nine children. The family moved to the original Uthoff family farm south of Norway on land that had once been part of the Jasper Colony. She and her siblings walked together to their country school. She graduated from Norway High School in 1942 at age 16, attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls (now UNI), taught in one room country schools for 3 years, and clerked at Newmans Dept Store in Cedar Rapids.

She married J. Richard Denson, and they had 5 children. They later divorced. She waitressed at Bill Zuber's Restaurant in Homestead and was a chiropractic assistant for Dr. Tom Ballard, DC and Dr. Roger Edkin, DC. In 1978 at age 53, Dolores became a part-time student at Kirkwood Community College, the first step in fulfilling her dream of getting a college degree. In 1983 she graduated with a B.A. in American Studies from Coe College. She was one of the first two non-traditional students to be accepted into Crescent, the women's honorary society, based on GPA, demonstrated leadership, and community service. She studied in Europe and participated in the Washington DC Term which included a congressional internship. After graduation she became the Director at Kingston Hill, a women’s retirement home, for 5 years before retiring in 1988. In 1997 she married Herbert "Bill" Rawson and enjoyed the relationship with his children, Tom (Cathy) Rawson, Nancy (Tim) King, Janet (John) Metcalfe, Rick (Janice) Rawson.

Dolores was a member of Fairest Chapter of Eastern Star, the Iowa Gourd Society, played Granny Basketball with the Center Point " Model T's", and was a member of Prairie Bible Church. Even at age 98 she loved volunteering at Days for Girls, Indian Creek Nature Center, Horizons Meals on Wheels, and Habitat ReStore.

Survivors include children, Rob (Pat) Denson of Ankeny, Morrie (Jutta) Denson of Marengo, Marian Wetjen of Cedar Rapids, and Ellen McVey of Midland, MI; 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; and sisters, Bert Rhinehart of Coronado, CA and Marjorie Beatty of Atkins.

She was preceded in death by husband, Herbert “Bill” Rawson; son, Neil Denson; son-in-law Jim McVey; siblings & spouses Dorothy & Harold Wittenburg, Walter & Eleanor Uthoff, Dave & Fran Uthoff, Arlene Lois & Kenny Wear, Virginia & Paul Roths, Maxine & Don Bliss, and brothers-in-law, Harry Rhinehart and John Beatty.

We are saddened at the death of our mom, but are comforted that in her last week she attended church, mowed her lawn, got her own groceries, made a new recipe, volunteered at Horizons Meals on Wheels, watered her flowers outside, smelled the lilacs through her open kitchen window, dined at a new restaurant, played Wordle, walked daily with Laurie, her friend & neighbor, visited with her neighbors, played cards, talked to all her children, and celebrated Mother's Day. A life well-lived!

The family would like to particularly thank Dr. Mary Anne Nelson for providing such caring and sound medical care to our mom.

Published in The Gazette on May 25, 2024 and in The Hometown Current on May 29, 2024.