Dorothy Catherine Michael, 90, died on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Azria Health Longview Assisted Living in Missouri Valley. She was born on Jan. 30, 1933, in Portsmouth, to Jack and Josephine (Sandbothe) Peterson. She attended country school and attended Portsmouth High School. Dorothy was united in marriage to Mike A. Rau in 1950, they shared 25 years together before his death. During this time, they were blessed with ten children. She was then married to William Hoss. After William’s passing, Dorothy was lucky to find love again and was united in marriage to Carl Michael on June 14, 1978, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They enjoyed over 45 wonderful years together. Dorothy dedicated herself to raising and nurturing her family as a homemaker but also pursued other occupations throughout her life. She worked as a house sitter, was employed as a cook for Linda Lou’s and served as an independent sales consultant.
Dorothy was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Logan. She greatly enjoyed playing bingo, she had a talent for crochet and sewing projects and she also spent many fulfilling moments growing and tending to her flowers. Above all else, Dorothy's greatest joy came from spending time with family and friends.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; daughters, Lois (Mike) Thomas and Cynthia Wright; son, Patrick (Victoria) Rau; brother, Joe Peterson; and sister, Velma Wagner. She is survived by her husband, Carl Michael of Missouri Valley; children, Mick (Joan) Rau of Council Bluffs, Audrey (Terry) Evans of Branson, Mo., Rebecca (Robert) Vega of Columbia, Tenn., Edward (Karen) Rau of Gilbert, Ariz., Matthew (Mona) Rau of Sahuarita, Ariz., Tim (Tammy) Rau of Council Bluffs and Lori (Danny) McWilliams of Pisgah; step-daughter, Rochelle (Duane) Straight of Modale; 21 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; siblings, Helen (Chuck) Hanson of Moorhead, Donnie (Glenda) Peterson of Spencer, Elaine Wageman and Ron Blume of Apple Valley, Minn., Darlene Havick of Humboldt, Alvin Peterson of Council Bluffs, Kenny (Corinne) Peterson of Council Bluffs, Ron Skalla and Leah Davis of Harlan, Terry (Tomi) Peterson of Spencer and Debbie (Mark) Jenson of Livermore; and many other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was held on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Logan. Reverand Daniel Steeb presided over the service. The recorded musical selections were “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art” by Alan Jackson and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. The honorary pallbearers were John Thomas, Justin Rau, Josh Evans, Zane Rau, Zyzek Barro, Quinton Rau, Travis Thomas, Anna Sloan, Angela Lowrey, Alysha Milder, Emily Rau, Ashlee Rau, Kayla Rau and Reshia Guarnotta. The pallbearers were Gilbert Ballardo-Rau, Jason Evans, Brandon McWilliams, Austin Rau, Jeff Rau, Michael Rau and Victor Wright. Dorothy’s final resting place is at the Magnolia Cemetery in Magnolia, Iowa.
Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
