March 25, 1930 – December 29, 2025
Dorothy Marie Rhea, the daughter of Fred Dewey Lee and Gertrude Marie (Chaplin) Smith was born March 25th, 1930, in Oelwein, Iowa. She graduated from Oran High School in 1947. Dorothy served as American Legion Auxiliary Thomas E. Woods Post #223 President for many years, including many county and district offices. She also served on the American Cancer Society Board, as Den Mother to Pack 45 Cub Scouts, and volunteered with various other community organizations. Dorothy was united in marriage with Gene Glen Rhea on June 12, 1947, at the Oran United Methodist Church in Oran, Iowa.
Dorothy’s death occurred Monday, December 29th, 2025, at Tripoli Nursing and Rehab Center in Tripoli. She was ninety-five years old. Dorothy was a member of the Oran United Methodist Church and the church’s bible study group, and at the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. She was a gardening enthusiast and enjoyed collecting coins and stamps. Her greatest love was for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dorothy is survived by one son, Mark (Vickie) Rhea of Sumner; one daughter, Jane Axt (Vince Saldana) of Iowa City, Iowa; five grandchildren, Gene L. (Brooke) Rhea, Jeff Rhea (Stephanie Brooks), and Elisabeth Axt (Ian) Moriarty, Mads E. Rhea (Alex) Oetken, and Katherine Rhea Axt (Christopher Johnson); and nine great grandchildren.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Gene G. Rhea, one son, John B Rhea, who died in 1967; one granddaughter, Genevieve Kathryn Rhea, who died in 1971; and her parents.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 3rd, 2026, at the Becker & Son Funeral Home in Sumner, with Hugh McIntosh officiating. Friends may call Saturday from 12:00 p.m. until service at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Hazleton, Iowa. Memorials may be made in Dorothy’s name to the American Cancer Society or the Thomas E. Woods Post #223, American Legion of Sumner Auxiliary.
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