Dolores Stessman
June 12, 1930 — June 1, 2021
Dolores Ann Stessman, daughter of Ernest and Dorothy (Willmes) Zimmerman was born June 12, 1930 in Panama, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama, where she remained a lifelong member. She attended St. Mary’s High School in Panama, graduating as Valedictorian in 1948. On June 26, 1956, Dolores was united in marriage to Alvin Stessman at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama. Six children were born to this union: Richard, Paul, Jim, Patrick, Carol, and Dan.
Dolores worked as a clerk in her family’s grocery store before attending Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas earning her teaching certificate. Dolores taught school in Earling, Iowa; Bellevue, Nebraska and Panama, Iowa, as well as multiple country schools. After retiring from teaching, she worked at Loland Farms, Inc. She served as Secretary, Treasurer, and later as President of the corporation.
Dolores donated to many causes and devoted countless hours of service. Among her favorites was serving as an Election Poll Worker for many years, being a mentor to elementary school students and serving on the Harlan Community Library Board for 8 years. She was an avid reader and belonged to many book clubs. She established many lifelong friendships through mutual love of books.
Dolores enjoyed nature, especially working with flowers and bird watching. She loved keeping up on current events and enjoyed playing cards, belonging to several card/bridge clubs for many years. She was a passionate sports fan and enjoyed watching her kids, grandkids, Iowa State Cyclones sports and Oakland A’s baseball.
Dolores died at her home in Panama on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, attaining the age of ninety years, eleven months, and twenty days. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Alvin Stessman, son Paul Stessman, and siblings Harold Zimmerman, Marcene Twark, and Grace Zimmerman.
She is survived by her children Richard (Tracy) Stessman of Ankeny, Iowa; Jim Stessman of Harlan, Iowa; Patrick Stessman of Panama, Iowa; Carol (Dan) Kloewer of Omaha, Nebraska; Dan Stessman of Grimes, Iowa; 2 grandsons John Kloewer and Stephen Kloewer; siblings Elaine Zimmerman of Panama, Iowa; Allan Zimmerman of Panama, Iowa; Don Zimmerman of Earling, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
Dolores worked as a clerk in her family’s grocery store before attending Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas earning her teaching certificate. Dolores taught school in Earling, Iowa; Bellevue, Nebraska and Panama, Iowa, as well as multiple country schools. After retiring from teaching, she worked at Loland Farms, Inc. She served as Secretary, Treasurer, and later as President of the corporation.
Dolores donated to many causes and devoted countless hours of service. Among her favorites was serving as an Election Poll Worker for many years, being a mentor to elementary school students and serving on the Harlan Community Library Board for 8 years. She was an avid reader and belonged to many book clubs. She established many lifelong friendships through mutual love of books.
Dolores enjoyed nature, especially working with flowers and bird watching. She loved keeping up on current events and enjoyed playing cards, belonging to several card/bridge clubs for many years. She was a passionate sports fan and enjoyed watching her kids, grandkids, Iowa State Cyclones sports and Oakland A’s baseball.
Dolores died at her home in Panama on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, attaining the age of ninety years, eleven months, and twenty days. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Alvin Stessman, son Paul Stessman, and siblings Harold Zimmerman, Marcene Twark, and Grace Zimmerman.
She is survived by her children Richard (Tracy) Stessman of Ankeny, Iowa; Jim Stessman of Harlan, Iowa; Patrick Stessman of Panama, Iowa; Carol (Dan) Kloewer of Omaha, Nebraska; Dan Stessman of Grimes, Iowa; 2 grandsons John Kloewer and Stephen Kloewer; siblings Elaine Zimmerman of Panama, Iowa; Allan Zimmerman of Panama, Iowa; Don Zimmerman of Earling, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
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