Dorothy Jean Schmitz, 83 of Ionia

Dorothy Jean Schmitz age 83 of Ionia, IA died Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Whispering Willows Care Facility in Fredericksburg.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 3, 2026 at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton with Rev. Chris Podhasky celebrating the Mass.  Interment will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery in Ionia with Tim Glaser, Will Glaser, Josh Praska, Adam Praska, Seth Praska, Garrett Praska and Michael Schmitz serving as pallbearers.

Friends may greet the family from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2026 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton.  Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass on Monday at THE FUNERAL HOME.

Dorothy was born on August 28, 1942, in Elma, Iowa, the daughter of William A. and Theresa (Rosonke) Biwer. She grew up in the Elma area alongside her siblings, Marie, Elaine, Billy Joe, Rose Marie, and Dan.

On April 20, 1963, Dorothy was united in marriage to William “Bill” Schmitz at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elma. Together they built a loving home in Ionia and the surrounding area, where they raised their family and shared many wonderful years together.

Known affectionately as “Dot,” family was always at the center of her life. She devoted herself to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Along the way, she worked at the Oelwein Hospital, the Ionia Furniture Store, Ionia Funeral Home, Ionia grocery store, and the Ionia Locker. No matter where she worked, her greatest joy was caring for those she loved.

Dorothy enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. She loved gathering with friends for ladies’ card clubs and couples’ card clubs, curling up with a good book, dancing, woodworking, taking bus trips, and, most of all, spending time with her family. Whether hosting a card game, lending a helping hand, or celebrating life’s milestones, Dot treasured every opportunity to be with those she loved.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Theresa (Phil) Glaser, Suzanne (Ron) Praska, Debra (Daren) Leonard, and Tony (Darsi Warnke) Schmitz; her siblings, Elaine Schmitz, Rosie Hickey, and Dan (Judy Bakken) Biwer; her sister-in-law, Judy (Stapleton) Biwer; 19 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and Schmitz in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Schmitz, in 1985; her infant children, Dennis and Joseph; her son, Mike Schmitz, in 1995; her parents, William and Theresa Biwer; her siblings, Marie Biwer and Billy Joe Biwer; her brother-in-law, Bob Schmitz; and many members of the Schmitz family.