Doris “Dorie” Jean Heitland Ekstrand

Doris “Dorie” Jean Heitland Ekstrand

Hiawatha

Doris “Dorie” Jean Heitland Ekstrand, 93, of Hiawatha, Iowa, passed peacefully Aug. 1, 2023, of Alzheimer’s disease. A visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. The funeral service will follow the visitation and begin at 2 p.m.

In memory of Doris, the family requests that everyone in attendance wear something pink, Doris’s favorite color.

Doris was born June 27, 1930, to G.B. “Bob” and Velma (Smith) Heitland in Buffalo Center, Iowa. She graduated from Buffalo Center High School in 1948 and later attended Coe College where she met the love of her life, who happened to be her brother’s roommate. She joined Alpha Gamma Delta and became a lifelong member, where she raised money for Juvenile Diabetes. She married Clarence Richard “Dick” Ekstrand on Sept. 6, 1951, then graduated from Coe College in 1952. She was a secretary for many years for the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Kirkwood Community College and her favorite place Bishop’s Home office. She was very involved with Christ Church Presbyterian, holding various jobs.

Doris is survived by her daughter, Janet (Clancy) Herrington; sister, Carol Maxwell of Sun City, Ariz.; grandchildren, BJ Ekstrand of Hazelton, Iowa, Eric Ekstrand of Oelwein, Iowa, Spencer (EmilyAnn) Walrath of Chicago, Ill., and Erin Ekstrand of Oelwein, Iowa; and two great-grandsons, Tristan Ekstrand and Joseph Walrath.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dick; and her sons, Allan and Burr Ekstrand.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.