Dorothy Ann Ziesman

Dorothy Ann Ziesman, 93, of Alden passed away on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Franklin General Hospital, Hampton, Iowa. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Otis Grove Cemetery in rural Dows. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls.

Dorothy was born in Zion, Illinois on October 7, 1931, to Melvin Dezell Crabtree and Grace (Dreyer) Crabtree. She moved with her family to Iowa at the age of six. The family settled in Evergreen, Ellis Township and at the Crabtree Farm in rural Popejoy. Dorothy graduated from Popejoy High School in 1949. Growing up, she enjoyed sledding parties, ice skating, roller skating, barn dances and playing basketball in high school. She enjoyed youth group with the Popejoy and Lee Center Methodist Churches.

She met the love of her life, Vern Ziesman, at youth group at the Popejoy Methodist Church. On April 9, 1950, Dorothy was united in marriage to Vern Ziesman. They were blessed with six children.

Dorothy was a member of the Popejoy and Lee Center Methodist Churches. She was a member of the Lee Center W.S.C.S. Dorothy served as a Sunday School teacher and a 4-H leader. She helped Vern on the farm wherever she was needed. During the farm crisis of the 1980’s, she started working at Surratt/Harris Printing and Scenic Manor in the dietary department.

Dorothy loved spending time with her family, especially holidays, birthdays, and family get-togethers. Her flower and vegetable gardens were her pride and joy. She spent countless hours in the kitchen canning and freezing her garden produce and fruit, and crocheting blankets for her great-grandchildren which was taught to her by her Grandma Dreyer. She was famous for her homemade buns and lefse. She always had her chocolate chip cookies in the freezer for a special treat for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they would stop in for a visit. Being of German heritage, Dorothy made sure she would make German carrot pudding with lemon sauce at Christmas time to share with her family. After retiring, Vern and her went on  many traveling adventures together including trips to Branson, Colorado and California.

Dorothy is survived by her children: Marie (David) Sporaa of Iowa Falls, Dennis (Barb) Ziesman of Iowa Falls, Jim (Julie) Ziesman of Alden, LeRoy (Diane) Ziesman of Iowa Falls, and Linda (Brent) Erickson of Fresno, California. Grandchildren: Daunyale (Steve) Sporaa-Schiek of Emmetsburg, Nathan (Sheryl) Sporaa of Madrid, Shadrach (Jessica) Sporaa of Boone, Travis (Lisa) Ziesman of Iowa Falls, Chad (Jen) Ziesman of Iowa Falls, Wyatt (Dana) Ziesman of Iowa Falls, Brittany (Tim) Hicks-Henrichs of St. Croix, Heath (Nicole) Ziesman of Iowa Falls, Tanner (Angie) Ziesman of Popejoy, Christa (Jon) Killgore of Kentwood, Michigan, Zachariah (Lisa) Ziesman of Hubbard, Anna (Evandro) Dos Santos of Long Branch, NJ, and Laura (Levi) Henze of Clemons and 45 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters: Allalee Bubeck of Clarion and Janet (Steve) Bartlett of Ft. Dodge, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Don and Janet Ziesman, sister-in-law Phyllis Walton and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Vern, her daughter, Judy Ziesman, her parents Dezell and Grace Crabtree, her brother Melvin, sisters Lorraine and Ellen, and great-grandson, Landon Schiek.