Dorothy Franzmeier

Dorothy Franzmeier

1936 – 2026

STORM LAKE - Dorothy Franzmeier, 89, of Storm Lake, passed away Jan. 19, 2026 in Storm Lake. Funeral services will be Monday, Jan. 26, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. Visitation will be held Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 from 4-7 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Dorothy Pauline (Gilmour) Franzmeier was born on Sept. 15, 1936 to Wilbur and Leona D. (George) Gilmour at home on their farm in rural Ida County. She and her sister went to country school just down the road, riding their horses there and then sending them back home. She later attended Ida Grove High School where she excelled not only in her schoolwork, but as a guard on the basketball court as well, earning First Team All Conference honors.  She graduated in 1954 and went on to Drake University for two years.

She first worked as a teller at the Arthur Trust & Savings Bank and later at Security Trust & Savings Bank and then Dekalb Seed Corn Company as a receptionist, both in Storm Lake. On May 3, 1959, she married Myron Franzmeier. They lived in Marathon before moving back to the family farm Myron grew up on, where she and Myron worked side-by-side since 1961 to establish their farm operation.  The couple was blessed with Lori, Joni, and Michael and were happily married for 58 years, until Myron passed away in 2018.

Dorothy was a member of Lakeside Presbyterian Church where she had served in the past as an Elder and a Deacon and was also a member of the Alpha Group.  She served nine years on the Albert City-Truesdale school board, belonged to Truesdale Farmers’ Club, delivered Meals on Wheels and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.  In her younger years, alongside her Dad and sister, she was a part of the Sac City All Palomino Horse Drill Team.

She enjoyed hosting or going out for a cup of coffee or to eat with family and friends..her kids, grandkids and their pets were always welcome! She enjoyed playing 500 with three card clubs, one which was active for 50 plus years. What she enjoyed the most was attending as many of her children's and grandchildren's sporting events and concerts as humanly possible. She will be remembered as a fixture and devoted fan at Sioux Central High School activities. She was also known for her excellent cooking and baking, especially her chocolate chip cookies. She never really retired from helping on the farm, feeding “the guys” lunch, or running for parts right up until her death.

Her children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter brought her great pride and were the twinkle in her eye! She loved children of all ages and was a second Mom or Grandma figure to many. Last March, she became a GG (Great Grandma) to Jojo and that was the icing on the cake! She had just traveled to Portland, Oregon with Joni and her girls in October 2025 to see Jojo in person for only the second time, but she loved seeing her on frequent Facetimes too.

Dorothy will always be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother to Lori Apgar (Curt) of Washington, IL; Joni Johannsen (Steve Albert) of Storm Lake; and Mike Franzmeier of Rembrandt, Iowa; beloved grandmother to Jack and Steven Apgar of Washington, IL, Chandler (Thad) Subra of Portland, Oregon; Chance Johannsen of Portland, Oregon, Berkley and Brogan Johannsen of Storm Lake; Cole Franzmeier of Albert City; Emersyn Franzmeier of Rembrandt; and sweet great-grandmother to Johanna Joy (“Jojo”) Subra of Portland, Oregon.

In heaven, Dorothy has joined husband, Myron; her parents, Wilbur and Leona Gilmour; her sister, Carol Kolb; her parents-in-law, Ewald and Anna Franzmeier; son-in-law, Tory Johannsen; nephew, Curtis Kolb, and niece, Patricia Wieben.

Dorothy touched countless lives with her kindness and always had a smile on her face. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.