Dorothy Berleen

Dorothy Berleen, 95, of Hampton, formerly of Webster City, died on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton.  Visitation will be at Boman Funeral Home on Friday, October 7, 2022, from 10:00 - 10:45 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM

Dorothy Kathleen (Abels) Berleen, daughter of Ralph Abels and Trena Ohden Abels, was born June 24, 1927. She was united in marriage with the love of her life, Richard Franklin Berleen, on August 7, 1948, at her home near Kanawha, IA. For almost sixty-two years they were true partners in life: living, loving, and caring for their family and each other.

A farmer’s wife to the core, Mom worked beside Dad every day in the fields and caring for their livestock still having time for a big garden, apple trees and flowers galore. She made the BEST applesauce. To this day the grand and great grandkids turn their noses up at store bought. Nothing is a good as Grammy’s homemade applesauce.

She was an active member of the Mulberry Center and the Faith United Methodist Churches. Mom was a strong, quiet woman who lived her faith; she led by example. Her theory was that those who hurt or wrong us need our prayers the most of all. I used to tell her she must have calluses on her calluses from all the time she spent on her knees praying for us.

She was happiest when she was busy and loved spending time with her family and friends. When the grandkids were young, she taught them to sing “In My Heart There Rings a Melody”. Since they usually sang when we were in the car, we spent many miles listening to the slightly off-key rendition they learned at her knee.

Mom gave us all the gift of her time. Whether it was working outside together, going for a walk, listening to our troubles, cuddling or simply sitting quietly while we worked through a problem she always had time. She was always only a visit or phone call away. Whether she advised or chastised, she did it lovingly. Hers was truly an unconditional love.

Mom and Dad farmed with Mark and Vi Berogan for over forty-five years, near Blairsburg. When Mark and Vi retired the folks continued to farm until January 2008 when Dad’s health began to fail and they moved to Timberland Village in Story City, IA; Dad passed in May 2010. Mom moved to the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton in December 2019. The staff became her extended family giving her their love and support during the pandemic; this continued after they reopened until she left us to go home to Daddy.

Mom is survived by a daughter and two son-in-laws: Cindy and Paul Shelton of Hampton, IA and Jim Slauson of Norfolk, VA. Four grandchildren; Heather Shelton, Heath Shelton, Katie (Slauson) and Mike Blevins. Eleven great grandchildren: Phoenix and Jessie, Catie and Jay, Isaac and Emily, Gabriel, Raegan, Emma, Stella and Collin. Six great-great grandchildren; Lincoln, Landon, Evelyn, Paityn, Eylah and arriving soon Baby Boy Shelton.

As the last remaining member of her generation in the Abels and Berleen families, she is preceded in death by her husband, Richard; daughter, Debbie; parents and five siblings.

Mom would want everyone to remember two very important things: 1) faith in God and 2) family and friends living, loving and taking care of one another. She will be missed. We love you, Mom, and rejoice that you and Daddy are together again.