Dorothy M. Soucek

Dorothy Marie Smith Shirley Soucek was born April 15,1919 to Floyd and Faye Forsythe Smith. She peacefully joined the big bridge game in the sky September 17, 2021. Family was nearby. Dorothy graduated from Atlantic High School and Buena Vista College. June 8, 1941, she married her college sweetheart, Robert Paul Shirley; World War II interrupted their lives as Bob served in London and Dorothy worked in Hartford Connecticut. After the war they returned to Atlantic, Iowa where Dorothy became a geography teacher and Bob took over her father’s chiropractic practice. After Bob died in 1968, she took a college geography class that took a six week trip around the world. Dorothy used what she learned on that trip in her teaching. In 1972 Dorothy married Henry Soucek and move to Washington, Iowa. Dorothy and Henry enjoyed a decade of RV travel with a focus on visiting family & friends. Several years after Henry’s death she made the move to Kerr Hall at the UP Home. Dorothy loved writing up newspaper articles about Kerr Hall monthly activities. Special events included her 90th birthday bridge party in the main dining room, & her 100th celebration at the Garrett Center. Dorothy loved spoiling grandchildren with chocolate sheet cake, visiting with her nieces and nephews (the Dozen Cousins), playing bridge (especially duplicate), supporting many groups including YWCA and Lending Hands. Dorothy was preceded in death by her siblings: Garland Smith (WWII), Mary Ellen Marsden, Marcella Thompson, and Floyd Smith along with her sons: Steve Soucek, Stanley Soucek, and Doug Shirley. She is survived by one sister-in-law Dorothy Jean Smith; children: Suzanne (Richard) Riley, Gerry Soucek, Karen (Mark) McGuire, Jean (Jon) Gloyer; grandchildren: John (Stephanie) Espinosa, Robert (Emily) Toussaint, Tricia (Nick )Toussaint, Vicki Soucek, Margaret (Chris) Novak, Lindsay (Josh) Meyer, Katie McGuire, Zack Gloyer and 17 great grandchildren: Katelynn, Savanna, Bradley, Devin, Allison, Abigail, Hannah, Jordin, Justin, Emma, Skylin, Chase, Carter, Alora, Addison, Hazel, and Millie. Dorothy‘s service will be held 9:30 AM Thursday, October 14, 2021, at the Jones-Eden funeral home. Burial will take place at Atlantic cemetery. In the spirit of Dorothy’s generosity, donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent for Dorothy’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com The family would like to thank the UP Home and Hospice of Washington County for all their care and support.

Dorothy M. Soucek

April 15, 1919 - September 17, 2021