Dorothy M. Wilson

Dorothy M. Wilson, 80, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, passed away Thursday, March 15, 2018, at her home after a brief illness.

Visitation will be held from 12 noon until 6:00 p.m., on Sunday, March 18, 2018, at Olson~Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will greet friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. that afternoon. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, March 19th, at Olson~Powell Memorial Chapel with Pastor Debra Savage officiating. Cremation will be accorded following the funeral service. Burial will be in Forest Home Cemetery. Gifts of love and friendship may be given to HCI Care Services of Mt. Pleasant. On-line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com.


Born January 19, 1938, in West Chester, IA, Dorothy Maxine was the daughter of Orville Fred and Merna Viola (Stone) Coakley. She was valedictorian of her 1955 graduating class at Crawfordsville, IA and attended Iowa Wesleyan College. On May 14, 1957, she married Joseph Arthur Art Wilson at the Church of the Nazarene in Mt. Pleasant. He preceded her in death on October 4, 2017.

Best known as a baby sitter for many years, Dorothy was also a waitress at the Hi Hat and the Iris Restaurant in Mt. Pleasant. She worked at the glove factory in New London, IA, Winegard in Burlington, IA, and Kentucky Fried Chicken in Mt. Pleasant, before retiring from Staats in 2007.

Dorothy enjoyed bowling, crocheting, doing crafts such as rubber stamping, and loved fishing. A traveling enthusiast, Dorothys favorite place to visit was Cades Cove in the Smokey Mountains. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest joy.

Sharing in Dorothys life are a son, Jody (Sheryl) Wilson of Mt. Pleasant; two daughters, Lori Wilson Witte of Debary, FL, and Julie Wilson of Mt. Pleasant; a brother, Jon (Kathy) Coakley of Washington, IA; and a sister, Martha Coakley of Iowa City, IA. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Mike (Lexie) Wilson, Josh (Amanda) Wilson, Amber (Joe) Vitelli, Brandi (Jeff) Ecker, Megan (Ralph) Eland, and Mat (Tiffany) Wilson and eleven great-grandchildren.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her loving husband, Art, and her parents.