Overton, Dorothy Louise

Dorothy Louise Overton, 77, of Iowa City, passed away at 3:53 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, at Mercy Iowa City. A graveside memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Donnellson Evangelical Cemetery in Donnellson, with the Rev. Dr. Barrie Tritle officiating.

Dorothy was born May 23, 1936, in Palo Alto, Calif., the daughter of Nicholas and Hazel (Schock) Sparsman. She moved to Donnellson, Iowa, with her family as a young child. She was a 1954 graduate of Donnellson High School, where she participated in several activities, including basketball, drama and band.

After graduating from high school, Dorothy attended the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. She also worked several jobs before she got married, including a Younkers department store that was then located in downtown Iowa City.

On Aug. 11, 1962, Dorothy married Gene Overton, also from Donnellson, in Cedar Rapids.

Dorothy worked for several years in the Iowa City school district and later at Carlos O'Kelly's restaurant, where she was the day hostess and got to know several of her customers on a first-name basis.

Dorothy was a friendly, outgoing, and cheerful person who loved her family and friends very much. She was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the St. Louis Cardinals. She and a close friend were season ticket holders to University of Iowa men's basketball games for several years, dating back to when UI basketball was played at the Field House.

She enjoyed boating, fishing, gardening, canning, cooking, and baking. Dorothy delighted in sharing her homemade goodies with friends and family, who looked forward every Christmas to receiving plates of cookies and fudge from “Aunt Dot.” Dorothy especially cherished spending time with her granddaughter, Sarah, and enthusiastically followed her many interests and activities as she grew up.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of 51 years, Gene of Iowa City; son, Wes of Tiffin; son, Mitch and daughter-in-law Lisa of Iowa City; granddaughter, Sarah of Iowa City; sister, Jo (Ron) Dunmire of Cedar Rapids; sister, Jacquie Gioimo of Lacey, Wash.; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Phyllis Overton of Mount Pleasant; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her parents and one brother-in-law, Mike Gioimo, preceded her in death.

She will be deeply missed by all who love her.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made in Dorothy's honor to Iowa City Hospice.

Cards and memorials may be mailed to Schmitz-Lynk Funeral Homes, PO Box 56, Donnellson, IA 52625.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at .

Schmitz-Lynk Funeral Home in Donnellson is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Published Sept. 5, 2013 in The Gazette