Dorothy "Dot" Liechty

Dorothy "Dot" Liechty, 94, of Burlington, Iowa, and most recently of Winterset, Iowa, died peacefully in her sleep Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, at Azria Health nursing home, Winterset.

Born Feb. 20, 1926, in Burlington, she was the middle daughter of John Paul and Hazel Theresa Ruff Haugh. On Aug. 18, 1951, she married Alan Liechty in Burlington. He preceded her in death on Nov. 13, 1998.

She was a graduate of Burlington High School in 1944. 

After World War II, and for the next five years, Dorothy enjoyed the life of the single working girl, employed at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant and then the Leopold Desk Company under Frederick Leopold. She later worked for Des Moines County Social Services beginning in the early 1970s.

She enjoyed road trips with girlfriends; hunting with her father and her bird dog, Brig; played tennis; bowled; and enjoyed her friends and family in her beloved Burlington. She also enjoyed all sports in general, especially baseball and the Chicago Cubs. She was also a big Iowa Hawkeyes fan. She loved spending time with family at Geode State Park, Burlington parks and watching her children's activities. She also loved to garden, especially roses. In her neighborhood, she was known as “the rose lady.” 

At a friend’s wedding, she met the love of her life, Alan E. Liechty of Wayland, Iowa. Married on Aug. 18, 1951, they began their married life on the north side of Burlington, eventually moving into their home of more than 60 years at 2006 S. Main St. It took 10 years to fill the house with five children. Dot also had six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. 

To all who knew Dorothy, she was a doer, a dynamo of energy who threw herself 100 percent into every project she took on. Never able to sit, her life's journey was all about faith, family and hard work. Dot and her husband were very active with the Catholic schools/parishes of Burlington (St. Patrick’s church and school). During her life, she was a member of St. John’s, St. Patrick’s and St. Mary’s Roman Catholic churches and the St. Patrick's ladies pinochle club. She loved her home and worked tirelessly inside and out to make it the happy home it was, entertaining for family at holidays and important life events.

Her most compelling trait was her ability to engage with people. Dot loved people and, in talking with her, a person could sense her level of concern with her inquiries and questions about activities and life.

Her ninety-two years in Burlington yielded her many friends and acquaintances of all ages. It is to the friends and family of her childhood and the young families with children who embraced and helped her as neighbors in her senior years that the Liechty family would like to extend our gratitude for your love and care of our Mother. 

Survivors include  her children, Joan Liechty of Kansas City, MO; Jim (Carol) Liechty of Winterset; Renee (Rusty ) D'Amico of Johnstown, CO; Brian (Sharon) Liechty of Killeen, TX; and Michael Liechty of Wilkes-Barre, PA; grandchildren, David (Rachel) Liechty, Dan (Kate) Liechty, Laura (Eric) Liechty, Timothy (Jessica) Liechty, Rebekah Liechty, and Kate (Phillip) Kilpatrick; great-grandchildren, Hazel Liechty, Alden Liechty, Etta Liechty, Ryker Kilpatrick, Raxton Kilpatrick, Aria Liechty and Jim Liechty; sister, Mary Ann Stout of West Burlington; and beloved nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Margaret Koestner; brother-in-laws, Orie Liechty, Emmit Spraker, Lloyd Stout and Joe Koestner; and sister-in-laws Thelma Liechty and Elizabeth Spraker. 

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. with the family to receive friends 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, at  Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Mrs. Liechty will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, at Divine Mercy Parish-St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with the Very Rev. Father Marty Goetz as the celebrant.  Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burlington.

Due to concerns regarding COVID-19, masks and social distancing are required.

A memorial has been established for the Leopold Landscape Alliance. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.