Dorothy Beary was born March 13, 1920 in Hiteman, Iowa, the daughter of Fritz and Mamie (Jackson) Johnson.
She was raised in the Des Moines area and later moved to Keosauqua, Iowa where she graduated from high school. Dorothy worked at Hickey Brothers Clothiers in eastern Iowa for a brief time before taking a job at Bankers Life in Des Moines. On November 1, 1945 Dorothy was united in marriage to Martin Cyril “Cy” Beary at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines. To this union a son and daughter, Dennis and Jean, were born. She and Cy lived in Lincoln, Nebraska and Lovilia, Iowa before moving to Knoxville, Iowa in 1946. Dorothy was a consummate homemaker, taking care of the children, sewing, baking and canning. She was also very active in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, especially caring for and supporting the School Sister of Notre Dame who taught at the Catholic school.
Dorothy passed away Monday, April 26, 2021 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines at the age of 101 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Cy.
Those left to cherish Dorothy’s memory include her children: Dennis (& Lyn) Beary of Montgomery Village, Maryland and Jean Hannah of Alexandria, Virginia; 2 grandchildren, Sean (& Michelle) Beary and Deedee Moxley; 6 great-grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces, and other family members and friends whose love and support meant so much to her through the years.
A funeral service for Dorothy will be held Friday, April 30, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Knoxville. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Weller, Iowa. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to Birthright of Knoxville.
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