Mrs. Carol Dorsey, 77, of Anita, Iowa
Carol Jean (Kloppenburg) Trent Dorsey, a beloved mother, wife, friend, and educator, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at UnityPoint Health Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. Carol was born on June 8, 1947, in the Bristow House in Massena, Iowa, to Kermit and Virginia (Raasch) Kloppenburg.
Carol spent her early years in Anita, Iowa, where her family lived behind Smither’s dairy and then moved to the end of Rosehill Avenue. She graduated from Anita High School in 1965 and soon after pursued her passion for healthcare by attending the Career Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she became a lab technician. She worked diligently in cardiology at Creighton University and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Omaha.
In 1971, Carol married LaVerne Owen Trent, and together they had five children: Lori, Carolyn, Owen, Cody, and Dawn. Carol faced the sorrow of losing LaVerne in 1989. She found love again and married Lynn Dorsey on July 1, 2001, in a beautiful ceremony in her parents’ flower gardens. Carol and Lynn shared a life full of farming and community service.
Carol was a lifelong learner, returning to education at Des Moines Area Community College, where she was recognized in Who’s Who Among American Junior College Students in 1995. Carol continued her education at UNI, where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a minor in English/Language Arts in 1997. Her dedication to education led her to earn a Master’s degree in Behavioral Disorders/Learning Disabilities from Morningside College in 2009.
A passionate educator, Carol taught at several schools, including Panorama, Guthrie Center, Anita, Atlantic, and Adair-Casey. She was a dedicated speech coach, leading over 250 students to State competitions and 10 to All-State. Her excellence in education earned her numerous accolades, including Teacher of the Year by Wal-Mart in 2007 and nomination for State of Iowa Teacher of the Year in 2009.
Carol was deeply involved in her community, serving as District President of the Lutheran Missionary League, a lifetime member of the Lutheran Church, and superintendent of Rabbits, Poultry, and Pets at the Guthrie County Fair. Her commitment to youth was recognized in 2013 when she was inducted into the 4-H State Hall of Fame.
Carol is survived by her devoted husband, Lynn Dorsey; her children, Lori Erickson and Cody Trent; son-in-law Jon (Jamie) Banks; stepchildren Becky (Bernard) Vais, Sally (Terry) Kloppenburg, and Dan Dorsey, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and brother, Richard. She also leaves behind cherished valued friends and extended family.
Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Kermit and Virginia; her children, Carolyn, Dawn, and Owen; her brothers, David and Gary; her sister-in-law, Sandy Kloppenburg; and her grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
Carol’s unwavering dedication to education, her faith, and her family leaves a lasting legacy that will be cherished by all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic with Rev. Ted Weishaupt officiating.
A luncheon will be held in the Schmidt Family Funeral Home Community Room following the service.
Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024 at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic.
