Dorsey Dinkla, 87, of Massena

Funeral Services: Will be held on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, south of Wiota with burial following in the Massena Center Cemetery. Pastor Mike Bodkins will officiate the service. The Lamb Funeral Home in Massena is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com. 

Open Visitation: Will be held at the Lamb Funeral Home in Massena on Sunday, June 30, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Family Visitation: The family will greet friends on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Massena from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Memorials: To the Dorsey Dinkla Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

Dorsey Lee Dinkla was born October 20, 1936, in Independence, Missouri, to Herman and Marjorie (Dorsey) Anderson. She passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa, at the age of 87.

Dorsey graduated from Lewis High School in 1954. Following high school, Dorsey traveled the country playing basketball for the All-American Redheads. She was honored to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

Dorsey and Glen were united in marriage on December 15, 1963. Together, they raised four children: Byron, Gary, Kristi, and Steve.

Dorsey was a member of the First Lutheran Church, helping many years with VBS and also serving on the Altar Guild. Dorsey first worked as a telephone operator and later was employed by the US Postal Service. Most importantly, though, she led her family and helped Glen with the farm.

A woman of many talents, including cooking, sewing, canning, and baking; it didn’t matter what she was doing, it was done with excellence and kindness. She was constantly serving others and was known for her ability to host family and friends. The hum of the kitchen as she prepared and served appetizers, meals, and desserts to a crowded kitchen table, with specially thought of treats for the kids. She loved making people happy.

Dorsey was an avid gardener, sports advocate, and someone who loved to read. She was always eager to share whatever she had learned. “You know, I read somewhere…” was a famous line from her, which often made the grandkids laugh. She and Glen spent years traveling around to dances. Greg Spevak Orchestra was their favorite. They were well known for their dancing wherever they went.

Dorsey wasn’t known to raise her voice unless it was to holler across the yard to Glen and ask if he wanted “one hamburger or two?!”… or perhaps to strongly encourage a free throw to be made at a basketball game! Whether she was sitting in the stands or tuning in from miles away, she found a way to be involved and support her grandkids in all their endeavors. She was always proud of them and excited to exchange grandkid stories with her friends.

Dorsey was the kind of person who would plan out just what day she needed to mail a card so it showed up on your special day, to arrive on your doorstep with your favorite dessert, or to craft a special gift for whoever she was thinking of. It was in the little wave she gave you from across the room, the “saaaaaay” when you were maybe a little too ornery, and the “come back and see us soon!” she said every time someone departed. Her memory will be cherished by her many family members and friends.

Dorsey was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Marjorie Anderson; Father-In-Law and Mother-In-Law, Remmer and Bertha Dinkla; Brothers and Sister-In-Laws, Elmer and Arlene Dinkla, Wayne and Elsie Paulsen, Florence Dinkla, Clarence Dinkla, Earl Dinkla, and Violet Dinkla, and nephews CR Feller and Darnell Boseck.

Dorsey is survived by her husband of 60 years, Glen; sons: Byron (Miranda), Gary (Beth), and Steve (Angie); daughter Kristi (Robert); grandchildren: Lea Dinkla, Kyle (Danielle) Dinkla, Paige Beem, Logan Dinkla, Lindsey (Remington) Vacek, Colby (Taylor) Kratch, Nate (Nikki) Kratch, Mackenzie Kratch, Lauren Dinkla, and Cameron Dinkla; great-grandchildren: Destiny Dinkla, Kevin Dinkla, Jacoby Dinkla, Jayce Dinkla, Bradley Dinkla, Lettie Beem, Coco Kratch, and Dash Kratch; brother Darrell (Judy) Anderson; and many nieces and nephews.