Dorothy Ann Gress

Dorothy A. Gress, 79, of Waukon, IA, died Friday, October 7, 2016, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 11th, at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon, IA, with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Monday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Dorothy Ann Gress was born May 29, 1937, in rural Waukon, IA, the daughter of Oscar and Selma (Wilke) Johnson. She attended rural country schools in Allamakee County. On March 6, 1971, she married Gary Gress at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon. Dorothy did daycare for several years and worked at Northern Engraving for 41 years before retiring in 2009.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and its ladies circles. Dorothy enjoyed playing softball when she was younger. She also enjoyed playing cards, working word search puzzles, car rides especially in the fall, and watching football especially the Minnesota Vikings. Dorothy loved spending time with her family, friends and following her children and grandchildren's activities. Her grandchildren always brought a smile to her face.

Survivors include her husband Gary of Waukon; her children: Cindy Topel of Waukon, Vickie Gress of Onalaska, WI, Tom Topel of Waukon, Tim Gress of Holmen, WI, Troy (Michelle) Gress of Waukon, Lori (Blair) Cahoon of Waukon and Nancy (Joey) Smith of Owensboro, KY; 15 grandchildren: Katie, Brody, Mason, and Brennan Gress, Connor, Caden, and Cooper Cahoon, Ali and Chris Lewis, Dustin Lewey, Chris Sorenson, Karrie Leible, Zeke, Jeffery, and Nate Smith; two great-grandchildren: Jese Lewey and Kalee Sorenson; one sister Norma Bloxham of Waukon; one brother Keith (Darlene) Johnson of Elgin, IA; three sisters-in-law: Beverly Johnson and Delores Johnson both of Waukon, and Jeanette Johnson of Postville. She is preceded in death by her parents; two sons: Monte Gress and Steve Topel; her step-father Lester Neverman; six brothers: Roger, Marland "Bud", Dale, DuWayne, Dean, and LaVern Johnson; and three sisters: Helen Johnson who died in infancy, Marnetta Snitker, and Delores Berg.

Honorary casketbearers are Dorothy's grandchildren. Casketbearers are Jo Dee Anderson, Bonnie Johnson, Virgil Johnson, Jimmy Johnson, Ethan Schroeder, Kevin Johnson, Chris Dahlstrom, Randy Bloxham, Darwin Johnson, Darin Berg, and Greg Johnson.