Dorothy L. Watts, 96, of Iowa City, IA and formerly of Mount Pleasant and Salem, IA, died Thursday, September 06, 2012 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. A funeral service for Dorothy Watts will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 8 at the Salem Congregational Church in Salem. The Reverend Aaron Helterbran, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Salem East Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Saturday at the church. The family will be present to receive friends from 1-2 PM Saturday afternoon. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.kimzeyfh.com. Mrs. Watts, the former Dorothy Laura Watson, was born December 10, 1915 in Henderson County, near Oquawka, Illinois. She was the daughter of Harvey Louis and Reatha Frances (Moody) Watson. She moved with her family to a farm in rural Salem near Big Creek when Dorothy was 3 years old. She attended rural country schools and graduated as Salutatorian of the Mt. Pleasant High School Class of 1934. On September 15, 1943 at the First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, Dorothy was united in marriage to Harry Dale Watts. Mr. Watts preceded in death on December 17, 1999. After high school and prior to her marriage, Dorothy worked in the office of Dr. Sam Houston, and Eye, Ear Nose & Throat specialist. After her marriage, Dorothy and her husband settled on a farm in Jackson Township on the old US Highway 218. In 1963, Dorothy began a career in the front office of the Henry County Health Center, handling everything from the switchboard to admissions and discharges. She remained with HCHC for 17 years. In 1990, Dorothy and her husband moved to Mt. Pleasant. Dorothy was a longtime member of the Salem Congregational Church, and the Salem Congregational Women's Club. She taught Sunday School at the church for many years. She was a member of the Federated Women's Club, Republican Women, the Farm Bureau Women, and the Women's Club of America. She served as a leader for the Snappy Salemettes 4-H Club. Dorothy was "instrumental" in her participation in the Salem Kitchenette Band. When time allowed, Dorothy played the piano, read untold volumes of books and wrote poetry. She loved to travel, as she and her husband visited all 50 states, Canada and Mexico. At age 85, she took a trip to London. Dorothy also played an important role as a historian for her family and community. Those thankful for sharing in Dorothy's life include a daughter and her husband, Diana & Stephen Guinta of Evanston, IL; a daughter-in-law, Mary Jo Strait of Iowa City; 4 grandchildren - Kevin C. Piatt of Phoenix, AZ, Tony Piatt of Iowa City, Joshua Guinta of Chicago, IL and Laura Corbett & her husband Tim of Iowa City and 1 great grandson - Jacob Corbett. Her parents, husband, 1 son - Kevin D. Piatt (who died May 12, 2001) and 1 sister - Virginia Piatt, precede Dorothy in death. Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Salem Congregational Church, the Salem East Cemetery or the Crew Public Library of Salem.

Visitation

SEP 8. 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (CDT)

Salem Congregational Church Salem, IA, 52649

Service

SEP 8. 2:00 PM (CDT)

Salem Congregational Church Salem, IA, 52649