Dorothy (Hildreth) Matthiesen, age 98, of Indianola, IA died peacefully February 3, 2022 at The Village retirement community of Indianola, IA.

Dorothy was born December 13, 1923 in Dexter, MN to George D. and Esther (Lehman) Hildreth. She grew up in the Des Moines area, farmed near Curlew, IA, and lived for 54 years in Fenton, IA before moving to The Village in Indianola in 2002.

She was united in marriage to Homer Matthiesen on August 27, 1944 at Gatchel Methodist Church in Des Moines. Together they made a home in Curlew and Fenton raising a family, bringing into the world David Homer, Donald Otto and Emily Esther. She enjoyed a life of faith in God and eternal life through Jesus Christ. As a family they participated in the fellowship of the First Baptist Church in Curlew.

Dorothy attended both Lincoln and North High Schools in Des Moines. During high school, she ran track, played tennis and swam. She credited her running strength and speed to having to briskly deliver heavy bottles of milk early in the morning for the family dairy. During WWII she worked at the Ankeny Ordnance Plant and later at Solar Aircraft in Des Moines where she met Homer. As a homemaker she cultivated a big garden, canning and freezing the bounty. She was active with Homer in his welding shop, the DeKalb Seed Corn business and Homer's Hardware store. She joined and participated in the Fenton Women's Club for many years. Dorothy and Homer enjoyed travel and wintered for many years among family and friends in Apache Junction, AZ. In 1994, Dorothy travelled to the Congo, Africa, to visit her daughter and family. She was known for making personalized greeting cards on the computer, and doing various stamping and craft projects. She met and enjoyed many people while at The Village; developing good friendships.  She enjoyed many activities with the Bible Study group being a favorite.

She was preceded in death by her husband Homer, her daughter Emily Matthiesen Hartfiel Ford, her son, David Matthiesen, her parents George and Esther Hildreth, her siblings and their spouses:  Mary Kathryn Bean, Don & Virginia Hildreth, Jack & Dorothy Hildreth and Bill & Irene Hildreth, her mother in law, Leah Matthiesen, Homer's siblings and their spouses:  Harry & Mary Matthiesen, Fern & Dan Stoltz, John Larson, Gladys & Avery Johnson, Catherine & Eddie Seagren and Miriam & Clarence Triggs.

Left to cherish her memory are her son and daughter in law, Donald and Valerie Matthiesen; her grandchildren, Stacy Matthiesen Walker (Chris), Jason Matthiesen, Joel Matthiesen (Jill Byczek),  Kristi Hartfiel Justin (James), and Jonathan Hartfiel; sister in law Grace Larson, 5 greatgrandchildren and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will take place in May at the Rush Lake Township Cemetery near Curlew, IA. Memorials in Dorothy's memory may be made to The Village (Indianola) Good Shepard Endowment Fund at WesleyLife, 5508 NW 88 ^th St. in Johnston, IA 50131 or wesleylife.org.