Dorothy Ann Urbatsch died Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar, Iowa. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood with Pastor Cory Allard officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday from 4 – 6:00 p.m. at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood. Burial will take place at Plymouth Cemetery.
Dorothy was born December 5, 1935 on the family farm near Grafton. She was the daughter of Vern and Ellie (Schmidt) White. She graduated from Grafton High School.
On September 12, 1953, Dorothy married Forrest Urbatsch at the EUB Church in Bolan. They were blessed with three sons – Mike, Mark and Gregg.
Dorothy and Forrie farmed Southwest of Grafton. She was a busy farmwife, tending their lawn and flowers. She loved cooking and baking for her family. Dorothy came from a family of six children and she was blessed to have her three brothers, LaVern, Art and Jay and two sisters, Marge and Gloria living close to her. Family gatherings were a priority. Many Sunday dinners and birthday parties were celebrated with her extended family.
In the past, Dorothy was the proud owner of an Arctic Cat snowmobile and she and their Grafton friends had many adventures with their snowmobiling club, the “Thunder Chickens”.
For many years, they and Forrie’s two brothers owned a cabin in Longville, MN. Friends and family enjoyed fishing trips “Up North” with them. When the cabin was sold, they wanted to continue to host fun events for family and friends, so they built a swimming pool on their farm. Many happy memories were made as grandchildren learned to swim there and annual parties were hosted for the Golden Banner 4-H Club and Bolan Church congregation.
Dorothy was passionate about decorating and had beautiful homes filled with antiques she had enjoyed collecting. Blue graniteware and anything “chicken-related” were some of her favorite items to collect. She and Forrie spent many hours traveling in their van with their dog in search of treasures, and for a time, operated their own antique shop on their farm. Celebrating Christmas Eve in Grandma Dorothy’s festively decorated home was truly magical.
Dorothy loved her small house dogs, Mitzi, Ginger, Annie, Gruffy, Junior and Dolly. They provided her with lots of companionship.
Dorothy was delighted to become a grandma and great-grandma. She had spent many evenings watching her sons play softball and continued the tradition attending sporting events, livestock shows and school programs for her grandchildren. A special treat for her grandkids was the annual Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Grandma Dorothy and Grandpa Forrie.
Dorothy had a strong faith in Christ and cherished her beloved church family in Bolan. God blessed her with a beautiful singing voice she loved to share with others; in church or at community events like the annual Kensett Variety Show. She had even pre-recorded herself singing many of her favorite songs and requested that this special music be played at her funeral service.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her: parents, Vern and Ellie White; mother and father-in-law, Fred and Beulah Urbatsch; sister Marge Arzberger and her husband Rueben; brother, LaVern White and his wife Suzie; brothers-in-law, Harley Urbatsch and his wife Pearl and Robert Urbatsch.
She is survived by her: husband, Forrest; sons, Mike (Sue) Urbatsch, Mark Urbatsch and Gregg (Mary Jo) Urbatsch; daughter-in-law, Shawn Urbatsch; grandchildren, Jake (Anneke) Urbatsch, Luke (Rachel) Urbatsch, Elizabeth (Michael) Schaub, Lindsay Urbatsch, Matt (Chloe Cheney) Urbatsch, Gracie and Sophia Urbatsch; great-grandchildren, Ivy, Olivia and Emmet Urbatsch, Riley and Emersyn Schaub, McKenna and Jayla Brown, and baby Urbatsch due in October (Luke and Rachel); sister, Gloria (LaVern “Rube”) Robeoltman; brothers, Art (JoAnn) White and Jay (Jeanie) White; sister-in-law, Fern Urbatsch, special nephew and caretaker, Bruce White; as well as many other extended family members and friends.
Our thanks to Pastor Cory Allard of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bolan.
Vocal selections were previously recorded by Dorothy Urbatsch and Mary Jo Urbatsch.
Please join the family for a time of fellowship following the service.
Blessed be Dorothy’s memory.
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