Donald R. Dotzler
May 21, 1937 — February 21, 2023
Donald "Donnie" Ralph Dotzler
Donald "Donnie" Ralph Dotzler, son of Joe and Leona Dotzler was born on May 21, 1937 in Defiance, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed in St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa. Donnie graduated from St. Paul's Catholic School in 1955. After graduation he attended Barber School and barbered in Council Bluffs, Iowa for a short time.
Donnie found the love of his life when he met Janet Backhaus. They were married on July 11, 1964. To this union 2 sons were born, Dan and Jim. Following their marriage, they resided in Omaha for a short time before moving back to the Defiance area where they made their lifelong home.
Donnie served in the U.S. Army, stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. Donnie shared a lot of stories about his 2 years in the military and also loved being a part of the Local Legion. Donnie ran a pumping service for 25 years. He also worked at the post office and did household sales as an auctioneer. He really enjoyed and was proud of his sales. He also helped his brother, Bob, from time to time with construction jobs.
One of Donnie's passions was baseball. Him and his 3 brothers played on the Defiance town team at one time. Donnie was super proud of the undefeated 1962 team. He umpired high school baseball and softball games for many years after he quit playing town ball. He loved getting involved with his kids' little league games and helped coach when he could. Donnie also loved hunting and his dogs, most recently he got a new Brittany in 2021 because he didn't have a dog anymore and had some pheasants to chase yet. In his younger days, he raised hunting puppies. He always had fond memories of his black labs at his dad's farm. Donnie enjoyed working on things and fixing them. To most people it might've looked like junk, but to Donnie it was the challenge of bringing old things back to life and working. He loved his community in Defiance and his friends. He talked frequently of his card playing friends and how he enjoyed the conversations.
Donnie cherished his 3 grandkids and really spent the time showing them how much he cared about them. He watched every sporting event he could, many times calling them after the games to get a first-hand report. The kids even purchased an Iphone for him so he could stay in touch with them. He was known for accidentally calling them at all hours of the day and night.
When Donnie was diagnosed with cancer and had to go through the treatments, he never wanted any of the kids to worry about him, so he would tell them that everything was good, never leading on if something wasn't right. He always had such a positive attitude and loved telling stories. He liked to ad lib a little to make them more colorful.
Donnie suffered a stroke unexpectedly on Friday, February 17, 2023 and passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at UNMC in Omaha, Nebraska attaining the age of 85 years and 9 months. He was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Leona Dotzler, his wife Janet Dotzler, and his siblings, Raymond Dotzler, Kenneth Dotzler, Grace Wilwerding, and Robert Dotzler.
He is survived by his sons, Jim Dotzler of Defiance, IA and Dan (Cindy) Dotzler of Ida Grove, IA; grandchildren: Ciara (Hunter) Lindgren, Ben Dotzler, Ellie Dotzler (fiancé Kaden Ladwig); nieces and nephews and other family members.
Donald "Donnie" Ralph Dotzler, son of Joe and Leona Dotzler was born on May 21, 1937 in Defiance, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed in St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa. Donnie graduated from St. Paul's Catholic School in 1955. After graduation he attended Barber School and barbered in Council Bluffs, Iowa for a short time.
Donnie found the love of his life when he met Janet Backhaus. They were married on July 11, 1964. To this union 2 sons were born, Dan and Jim. Following their marriage, they resided in Omaha for a short time before moving back to the Defiance area where they made their lifelong home.
Donnie served in the U.S. Army, stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. Donnie shared a lot of stories about his 2 years in the military and also loved being a part of the Local Legion. Donnie ran a pumping service for 25 years. He also worked at the post office and did household sales as an auctioneer. He really enjoyed and was proud of his sales. He also helped his brother, Bob, from time to time with construction jobs.
One of Donnie's passions was baseball. Him and his 3 brothers played on the Defiance town team at one time. Donnie was super proud of the undefeated 1962 team. He umpired high school baseball and softball games for many years after he quit playing town ball. He loved getting involved with his kids' little league games and helped coach when he could. Donnie also loved hunting and his dogs, most recently he got a new Brittany in 2021 because he didn't have a dog anymore and had some pheasants to chase yet. In his younger days, he raised hunting puppies. He always had fond memories of his black labs at his dad's farm. Donnie enjoyed working on things and fixing them. To most people it might've looked like junk, but to Donnie it was the challenge of bringing old things back to life and working. He loved his community in Defiance and his friends. He talked frequently of his card playing friends and how he enjoyed the conversations.
Donnie cherished his 3 grandkids and really spent the time showing them how much he cared about them. He watched every sporting event he could, many times calling them after the games to get a first-hand report. The kids even purchased an Iphone for him so he could stay in touch with them. He was known for accidentally calling them at all hours of the day and night.
When Donnie was diagnosed with cancer and had to go through the treatments, he never wanted any of the kids to worry about him, so he would tell them that everything was good, never leading on if something wasn't right. He always had such a positive attitude and loved telling stories. He liked to ad lib a little to make them more colorful.
Donnie suffered a stroke unexpectedly on Friday, February 17, 2023 and passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at UNMC in Omaha, Nebraska attaining the age of 85 years and 9 months. He was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Leona Dotzler, his wife Janet Dotzler, and his siblings, Raymond Dotzler, Kenneth Dotzler, Grace Wilwerding, and Robert Dotzler.
He is survived by his sons, Jim Dotzler of Defiance, IA and Dan (Cindy) Dotzler of Ida Grove, IA; grandchildren: Ciara (Hunter) Lindgren, Ben Dotzler, Ellie Dotzler (fiancé Kaden Ladwig); nieces and nephews and other family members.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald R. Dotzler, please visit our flower store.