Bushman, Dorothy P. (Holthaus) 1946 - 2024

BUSHMAN, HOLTHAUS, BRINCKS, CERON, DEMOTT, PEREZ, GIFFORD, BUCHEIT, EASLEY, MITCHELL, MERTEN, RUPPERT, DOTZLER, BLUMHAGEN, LENSING, KUENNEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/29/2024 at 10:48:43

Dorothy P. Bushman, 77, of Decorah, passed away on Monday, June 17, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family. A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 23, 2024 from 4 to 7 pm at the Festina Community Center. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina.

Dorothy was born on July 18, 1946 to Ralph and Olivia (Brincks) Holthaus. She met her one true love, Donald “Don” Bushman, on November 20, 1965 and by December 24 they were engaged. After 4 months and 27 days, they were united in marriage on April 16, 1966 in Ossian, Iowa. She was a long time member of the Catholic church and an active circle leader.

She had many interests, including watching NASCAR, especially Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. race. Dorothy liked going on nature walks, gardening, birdwatching, and getting a good deal at a local garage sale. She could always be found sipping on a Dr. Pepper or an A&W Root Beer while cooking for the family. Dorothy loved working on puzzles and being a member of the card club. She enjoyed spending time with her cats but more importantly, she loved her time with her grandkids. She was always very proud of them. Dorothy will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Don; their children, Doug (Tammy) of West Des Moines; Darrin (Janita) of Fort Atkinson; David (Andrea) of Lansing; Danny (Rochelle) of Calmar; Debbi (Dustin) of Marion; and Darcy (TJ) of Decorah; 16 grandchildren, Hayley (Miguel Ceron), Savannah (Gary DeMott), Colton, Gary, Matthew (Cassandra Perez), Kristen, Nayeli, Bailey (Keyara Gifford), Cheyenne (Taylor Bucheit), August (Darren) Easley, Autumn (Todd) Mitchell, Winter (Randy) Merten, Jada, Evan (Payton Ruppert), Kinnick, and Jens; and 11 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her siblings, Ken (Karen) Holthaus of Decorah; Tom (Kris) Holthaus of Waverly; Duane (Beth) Holthaus of Ossian; and Jane (Rodney) Dotzler of Ridgeway; sisters and brothers-in-law, Donna Mae Blumhagen of Bloomfield; Duane (Shirley) Bushman of Decorah; Doris Lensing of Festina; and Dean (Cindy) Bushman of Graham, WA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Mary Holthaus; grandson, Richard Bushman; sisters-in-law, Dolorita Kuennen and Eunice Bushman; and brothers-in-law, Darrell Bushman, Richard Kuennen, and Robert Lensing.

Memorial donations may be directed to the family at Darcy Bushman c/o Dorothy Bushman, 401 S. Mechanic Street, Decorah, Iowa, 52101.

Source: Decorah Newspapers June 24, 2024