Galer, Dorothy I.

Dorothy I. Galer, 96, formerly of Mount Pleasant, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010, at the Oaknoll Retirement Residence in Iowa City.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant with the Rev. Herb Shafer officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Oaknoll Retirement Residence or the First United Methodist Church of Mount Pleasant. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to

Born January 15, 1914, in Geneseo, New York, Dorothy Isabel was the daughter of the Reverend Ernest and Eva (Ayers) Mathews.

Dorothy received her Bachelor of Music degree in 1936, Master of Music in 1937, and Bachelor of Music Education in 1938 from Northwestern University. She was an instructor at Iowa Wesleyan College teaching piano, organ, and public school music. She was a member of the Sigma Alpha Iota professional honorary music fraternity, a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church, and a 60-year member of the National T.T.T. Society.

On September 4, 1939, in Gowanda, New York, Dorothy married Ben A. Galer, a Mount Pleasant attorney. She and her husband lived in Mount Pleasant for 56 years. Ben preceded her in death on April 17, 1995. Following his death, Dorothy moved to Iowa City into the Oaknoll Retirement Residence.

Dorothy valued the time spent with family and friends at the New Smyrna Beach, Florida condominium. She loved playing bridge and golf, especially when she made a hole in one in 1984. An avid Hawkeye fan, she enjoyed following the football and basketball teams.

Survivors include a daughter, Dorothea Higgins of Arlington, Texas; a son, Ernie (Heidi) Galer of Iowa City, Iowa; six grandchildren, Natasha (Tom) Houselog, Kate Hawkins, Kara (Brent) Kimm, Nathan (Sarah) Galer, Ruth (William) Johnson, Nancy (Jeff) Hill; and 10 great-grandchildren.