Dorothy McFarland, age 85, of Albert City, Iowa, died on Saturday, December 13, 2014, at the Pocahontas Community Hospital in Pocahontas.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake, Iowa. Burial will be in the Odebolt Cemetery in Odebolt, Iowa. Visitation will take place Tuesday, December 16, 2014 from 5-8:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Dorothy Mae Esther Brown, the daughter of Ewald and Esther (Hokanson) Brown was born on a farm near Odebolt, Iowa, in Richland Township, on April 16, 1929. She received her education at a country school a mile from her home. Dorothy enjoyed her youth on the farm where they raised horses, Shetland ponies, cows, pigs, guinea chickens, ducks, geese, dogs and cats. Dorothy worshipped at the Odebolt Covenant Church and the German Methodist Church.

Dorothy was united in marriage to Harold Glen McFarland on November 28, 1947, in Sac City, Iowa and this couple was privileged to raise four children: Kay, Rick, Dennis, and Dan. Following their marriage, Harold and Dorothy resided in Odebolt for 11 years before moving to Storm Lake in 1958 where Harold was employed at Vilas Turkey Plant. Dorothy worked in all facets of department stores throughout her career from being a sales clerk, designing window displays, assisting with style shows, and attending markets in Omaha and Spencer. Dorothy worked for Feldman’s for 22 years and then was employed by Sernett’s for 8 years. Her final employment was with Ben Franklin for 6 years. The couple resided in Storm Lake for 47 years and moved to Albert City in 2005.

Dorothy was a faithful member of the Storm Lake United Methodist Church. She had a sincere and abiding faith and was faithful in reading her Bible. She was currently reading the Bible in its entirety for the fourth time. In Dorothy’s words, she wanted everyone to “always believe and trust in God, always keep your faith and to be positive and not negative, always believe that things will work out, have strong morals, and try to keep them and always be yourself.” Dorothy enjoyed playing Chinese checkers, putting together jigsaw puzzles, doing crossword puzzles and tending to her flower garden. Everyone who knew Dorothy will always remember her for making delicious pies.

Dorothy’s life will always be cherished and celebrated by her family that include her son Dan (Becky) McFarland of Albert City; stepdaughter, Kay Hummel of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; daughter-in-law, Karen (Terry) Swartz of Boone, Iowa; step daughter-in-law, Jerry McFarland of Madera, California; grandchildren: Tammi Newell of Polk City, Iowa; Shane (January Johnson) McFarland of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Heidi and Rachel McFarland of Ankeny, Iowa; Kristi (John) Boston of Mason City, Iowa; Mike (Angie) McFarland of Anthem, Arizona; Amanda (Tony) White of Norwalk, Iowa; step-grandchildren: Elizabeth Hummel of Plymouth, Minnesota; Jacquelynn Skotvold of Centerville, South Dakota; Tricia (Jerry) Stark of Brandon, South Dakota; Howard McFarland of Madera, California; Robert McFarland of Madera, California; Toni (John) Holder of Dacono, Colorado; Rose (Brian) Freeman of Madera, California; many great grandchildren; other extended family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Harold Glen McFarland; parents, Ewald & Esther (Hokanson) Brown; siblings: Elaine (Brown) Lamaak, Robert C. Brown, Edward "Bud" Brown, and Donald Brown; son, Dennis McFarland; and step-son, Rick McFarland; step-granddaughter, Christina Hummel; step-grandson, Eugene McFarland; and great-grandson Gabriel McFarland.

Blessed be the life and memory of Dorothy Mae Esther McFarland.