Dorothy Keith

Dorothy Ann [Boeckenheuer] Keith, lifelong educator, passed away on November 1, 2025, at Creekside in Grundy Center. Dorothy was born January 16, 1934 in Hawkeye, Iowa to Carl and Clara [Braun] Boeckenheuer. She graduated from Hawkeye High in 1951, and attended Wartburg College, obtaining her teaching certificate in 1953. She began her teaching career in Reinbeck, Iowa upon graduation and soon after met her husband Donald Lindsay Keith. They were married on July 24, 1955 in Hawkeye, Iowa and settled back in Reinbeck immediately after. To this union two children were born, Debra Ann Keith and David Gregory Keith. Donald passed away April 8, 2000.

Dorothy taught second and third grade students her entire 36 year career in the Reinbeck school district retiring in 1995, with a short pause from 1957 to 1963 to raise Debra and David during their infant years. She frequently attended summer classes during the 1960s and 70s at UNI working to get her bachelors degree, ultimately obtaining that degree in 1975. Post-retirement Dorothy remained actively involved with the community and its youth, through volunteering at the school, working in and with the Outdoor Learning Center in front of the Reinbeck Elementary School building, and activities and leadership roles in Reinbeck Woman’s Club, American Legion Auxiliary #242, and Oak Leaf Country Club.

Dorothy always felt that there was something new to learn and enjoyed time spent with both family and life-long friends. Whether this was golfing, card clubs, fishing trips, attending Minnesota Vikings football games, or visiting various parts of the USA with family over the years, she always looked forward to these trips and often journaled the daily encounters. She, David, and her mother Clara did a multi-country tour in Europe in 1982 which was quite memorable. Also the family trip to Scotland in 2005 with both Deb, David and his family was considered a highlight. Dorothy and Deb travelled extensively after Donald’s passing seeing various parts of the United States and the world with the Grundy Center GoClub.

Dorothy enjoyed nature, especially birdwatching, and gardening. She enjoyed reading and participating with the local Book Club that she was a member of for many years. She also volunteered many years at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts center in Cedar Falls. She also has been active at American Lutheran Church where she was a member for 70 years.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Clara, her husband Donald, and a brother, Herbert Boeckenheuer. She is survived by her daughter, Debra Keith of Omaha, Nebraska, her son David [Brenda] Keith of Menlo, Georgia, granddaughter Elizabeth [David] Frantz of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, great granddaughter Samantha Frantz, grandson Johnathan Keith [Brooke Benson] of Hoover, Alabama, brother Charles [Kay] Boeckenheuer of Marquette, Iowa as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Family requests in lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothy’s honor be made to American Lutheran Church in Grundy Center, the Reinbeck Public Library, or Northeast Iowa Food Bank. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, at the American Lutheran Church in Grundy Center from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the American Lutheran Church in Grundy Center at 10:30 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the time of the service.