Dorothy Hughes
Dorothy M. Hughes, 98, of Fort Dodge, died peacefully Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at the Simpson Health Center.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 29, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery. The visitation is from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Monday at the church. A Celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday in the Pocket Door Lounge near the main entrance at Friendship Haven, where the family will greet friends. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Patrick (Martha) Hughes, Lawrence, Kansas; Nancy (Kevin) Doyle, Exton, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren, Sean Hughes, Megan (Hughes) Miller, Carine, Michael and Maura Doyle. Dorothy adored her great grandchildren, Audrey, Ella and Lucy Miller, and Idris and Otto Breckwoldt. She was preceded in death by her husband Francis, infant children, Christine, Thomas, and Andrew, infant grandson Brendan Doyle, her parents and siblings Sherman, Elvira, Florence and Harley.
Dorothy Minnie Miller, the daughter of Edward and Minnie (Henke) Miller, was born January 24, 1926, in Dunbar Township, Minnesota. Dorothy graduated from Wells High School as valedictorian in 1944. She continued her academic excellence at St. Olaf College, graduating in 1948. Dorothy’s first teaching job was in Cresco, Iowa. There she met the love of her life Francis (Frank) Hughes. They were married at St. John’s Church in Des Moines on July 1, 1949. Dorothy’s love of learning became contagious. Frank graduated from Drake University in 1951. They lived in Des Moines, Kansas City, and Mason City before moving to Fort Dodge in 1959. Dorothy returned to teaching in Fort Dodge. She taught history and English at North Junior High.
Dorothy was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Fort Dodge Retired Teachers Association, Fort Dodge Area Quilt Club, and a longtime member of Lakeside Golf Course. She achieved a milestone on the golf course at age 90 with a hole-in-one. Dorothy was a master quilter, winning many prizes for her amazing work.