Dorothy Mae Brubaker Obituary

Dorothy Mae Brubaker, 91, passed away on November 3, 2022, at MercyOne Hospice in Johnston following a brief illness. A funeral service will be held on December 3, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Immanuel United Methodist Church, 2900 49 th St, Des Moines, IA 50310, with a luncheon following. Private burial will take place at a later date.

Dorothy was born on May 2, 1931 in Oakland, IA to Frank and Minnie (Allen) Dobernecker. She was very active in her Carson High School’s extracurricular activities. She was President of the Mixed Chorus singing group, participated in the Girls Glee Club, played on the Carson basketball team, was Editor of the school paper, the “ Tom-Tom,” and helped create a band that performed for dances in a neighboring town. Coming out on top, Dorothy was crowned Carnival Queen of the Junior Carnival in 1946 and won the State typing contest during her senior year of high school. She married her high school sweetheart, Don LaRance Brubaker, on December 26, 1949. Don and Dorothy lived in Ogden, IA for several years, prior to settling in Des Moines, IA, where they raised their two daughters, pursued their careers and enjoyed their many friends and beloved community. Camping trips in their RV, spending time in Colorado with family and fishing at any lake they came across were among their favorite past times.

Dorothy spent most of her career in the Des Moines Public School District. She served as a Teacher’s Aide for 25 years at Brody Middle School. She was an active member of Immanuel United Methodist Church and coordinated funeral luncheons for years, becoming well-known for her extraordinary baked beans. Dorothy had a love for playing pitch and bridge with her dear friends and was a member of many card clubs over the years. If Dorothy wasn’t making a list for something, explaining the flexibility of “best by” dates on food packaging or ensuring her family had at least one extra helping at meals, she was enjoying Iowa State Cyclone and Iowa Hawkeye sports with her beloved pup, Ryley, on her lap.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Minnie Dobernecker, her husband, Don Brubaker, her daughter Teri Brubaker, and her brother-in-law, Cliff Jefferson. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Jim Viscardi) Brubaker, sister, Margaret Jefferson, grandchildren Haley (Ben) Leesley and Justin Elliott, great grandchildren, Hayden and Peyton Leesley, niece Jana (Larry) Carpenter and nephew Craig Jefferson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Food Bank of Iowa, Immanuel United Methodist Church or MercyOne Hospice in Johnston. Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com

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