Dorothy Steburg-Ferkin

Dorothy, or “Dot” as she was affectionately known, was born on March 26, 1924, on her grandparents’ farm east of Manson, Iowa. She was the first of four daughters born to Clarence and Wilda Martin. Dot was brought up in a traditional Mennonite home, where she learned to follow Jesus from a young age. In 1936, Dot and her family moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa. While in high school, Dot’s faith in Christ grew deeper and she was baptized. Dot graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1942, and shortly after moved to Chicago, where she was employed by Moody Bible Institute in the stenographic pool while taking night classes there. By 1944, Dot had returned to Fort Dodge, where she was joined in marriage to Jess Steburg, to whom she was engaged while he was serving in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific in WW II. In 1945, while stationed in Oklahoma City, Dot and Jess welcomed their twin sons James and Larry to the world. After the war, Dot spent nearly 50 years in Fort Dodge with her husband Jess, raising their sons and working in admissions at Mercy Hospital and later Trinity Regional Hospital, until Jess went home to the Lord in 1991. In 1993, Dot was united in marriage to her childhood friend Art Ferkin, and they lived in Whittier, California, for 22 years until Art’s death in 2015. Dot then returned to Iowa, where she resided at Lakeside Village in Panora until God called her home on August 31, 2024. In her 100 years of life, Dot enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking, spending time with her family, watching sports, and serving in her church. She was able to visit all 50 of the United States, Europe, and the Holy Land, and she enjoyed all the beauty God has created. Dot died peacefully, confident that heaven will be even more beautiful.

Dot is survived by her son James (Wanda); grandsons Chris, Scott (Jennifer), and Mark (Krista); seven great-grandchildren; and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters Jean, Lois, and Delores; her husband Jess; her son Larry (Linda); and her husband Art.

Memorials can be made to the Lighthouse Assembly of God Church in Panora, Iowa.