Donita "Dee" Althaus
March 14, 2015Share using:
Donita M. “Dee” Althaus, 82, of Asbury, formerly of Dubuque, passed away following a short illness on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at Stonehill Care Center, Dubuque.
According to her wishes, her body was donated to the Iowa Deeded Body Program at the University of Iowa. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 6th at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road with Rev. Mark Murphy officiating. Family and friends may gather after 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date in Mount Calvary Cemetery.
Dee was born on October 13, 1932, in Dubuque, the daughter of Claudia (Haase) and Maynard Althaus. She graduated from St. Columbkille High School in 1950. Dee worked 27 years for the City of Dubuque Leisure Services Department. Throughout her tenure with the city, she managed programs for preschool youth through senior citizens. She finished her career as a cook at ManorCare Health Services.
From a young age, Dee loved to travel with friends and family, whether it be by bus, car, train, or ship. She traveled from coast to coast and particularly enjoyed her trips to Hawaii, Alaska, the National Parks, and Walt Disney World.
She lived with her niece Jean for the last 10 years. While there, Dee enjoyed curling up in her chair with a blanket and a crossword puzzle, a cozy mystery novel, or a riveting episode of Family Feud, Unwrapped on the Food Network, or HGTV’s House Hunters. Oftentimes she had to share her blanket with one of their three favorite cats: Gracie, Figaro, or Milo. One of Dee’s favorite pastimes was going out to eat, which, more often than not, included dessert.
Dee is survived by her sister Cordiadell “Corky” Tucker of Dubuque, her brother Dale (Reta) of Ankeny, Iowa, her sister-in-law, Linda Althaus of Dubuque, eight nieces and nephews: Jean Tucker, Tammy (Joel) Gehling, and Barb Tucker of Dubuque; Marc (Denise) Tucker of Marengo, Iowa; Scott Althaus of San Diego, California; Shawn (Tonya) Althaus of Ankeny, Iowa; Eric (Erica) Althaus of Parkville, Missouri; and Jeffrey Althaus of Denver, Colorado; and her cherished great-nieces and great-nephews: Madison, Emily, and Elizabeth Gehling; Jacob (Jessica) Freemyer and Kaylie (Anthony) Fogle; Gabe and Alyvia Althaus; and McKenna, Connor, and Hailey Althaus.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Maynard and Claudia Althaus, and her brothers, Larry and Gene.
Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The family would like to thank Dr. Matthew Kirkendall and his nurse Kate for taking such good care of Dee over the years.
Goodnight. Sweet dreams. God bless. Hugs and kisses. We love you.
