Obituaries : Dorothy (Gillis) Rathje-Armstrong

Dorothy (Gillis) Rathje-Armstrong, 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 29, 2021, at Meadowview Memory Care in Cedar Rapids.

Private family graveside services will be held at McBroom Cemetery, rural Shellsburg, with Rev. Douglas Woltemath officiating. Memorials may be directed to St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, 303 3rd Ave., Atkins, IA 52206 or the Views Senior Living and Memory Care, 3005 F Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405.

Dorothy was born on July 5, 1936, in St. Louis, MO, to Melvin and Laura (Marsh) Gillis. She was united in marriage to Alan Rathje and the couple later divorced. On January 9, 1999, she was united in marriage to Lenard J. Armstrong at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Atkins.

She was a member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Atkins, and enjoyed crafts, baking, and was an accomplished candymaker.

She is survived by her daughter Jolene Rathje of North Liberty; 3 sons, Marvin (Sandy) Rathje of Anamosa, Melvin (Elaine) Rathje of Warner Robins, GA, Jeffery (Tammy) Rathje of Watkins; 2 stepdaughters, Kim (Gary) Spiess, Kay (Ed) Bartholomew; 7 grandchildren, Melissa Smith, Marsha (David) Wimer, Amanda (Adam) Langer, Matt (Johnna) Rathje, Josh (Camela) Rathje, Adam (Rayanna) Rathje, Robert (Taylor) Rathje; 5 step-grandchildren, Jenny (Tony) Frey, Nicole (Josh) Jones, Alison (Andy) Montag, Megan (Mitch) McKnight, Bryce Bartholomew; many great-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren; her sister Shirley Hamm; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Lenard; stepdaughter, Kris Armstrong; brothers, Jim, George, and Louis Gillis; sisters, Norma Gould, and Arlene Garvin; foster parents Raymond and Justine Klein; and her foster sister Peggy Klein.

Special thanks to Pastor Douglas Woltemath, Dr. Richard Pope, The Views Senior Living and Memory Care, and Care Initiatives Hospice for their loving care of Dorothy.

Online condolences www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com