Dorothy Mae (Maranell) Farnsworth, the daughter of George Cecil and Ella (Parcaut) Maranell, was born on October 1, 1922 in Gaza, Iowa. She grew up in O’Brien County, and attended the local country schools.

She was united in marriage to Earl Farnsworth on July 27, 1941 in Sioux City, Iowa. Earl and Dorothy farmed in the Archer area for 42 years before retiring in 1983. Following Earl’s stroke in 1983, they moved to Sheldon, Iowa where Dorothy cared for Earl until his death in 1996. Dorothy resided in assisted living facilities until moving to Prairie View Nursing Home. She passed away there on February 13, 2008 at the age of 85.

Dorothy enjoyed activities such as ceramics, tole painting, cake decorating and baking. She was always happy to visit and spend time with her family and friends. She was a member of the Archer United Methodist Church and Women’s Society.

Survivors include her children and their families: Wanda and her husband Don Steffens of Primghar, Iowa, Brenda and her husband Kerm DeVries of Inwood, IA, Thomas and his wife Glenna Farnsworth of Archer, Iowa, Sandra and her husband Mike Yost of Murdock, MN, and Susan and her husband Jerry Murphy of Ankeny, IA; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; one brother Dan Maranell and his wife Avis of Tecumseh, OK; one sister June and her husband Jon Baker of Renton, WA; other relatives and friends.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Cecil and Ella; her husband Earl on May 7, 1996; two grandchildren Kacy and Kamie DeVries; two brothers Melvin Maranell and Marlin Maranell; two sisters Joyce (Maranell) Farnsworth and Ruth (Maranell) Farnsworth.

Dorothy Mae Farnsworth

Born ~ October 1, 1922

Died ~ February 13, 2008

Age ~ 85 years 4 months 12 days

Funeral Service

2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 16, 2008

United Methodist Church

Archer, Iowa

Officiating ~ Rev. Doris Lindley

Organist ~ Pam Kobbe

Soloist ~ Bailey DeVries

“Beyond the Sunset”

“His Eye is on the Sparrow”

“On Eagles’ Wings”

Congregational Hymn

“Blessed Assurance”

Pallbearers

Jeff Steffens Kurt DeVries Jim Steffens Kara DeVries

Tim Farnsworth Kody DeVries Frank Farnsworth

Michael Yost Marcus Murphy David Yost Megan Murphy

Ushers

Don Koepnick Dudley McDowell

Flower Attendants

Betty Johnson Arlin Wilkens

Interment

Pleasant Hill Cemetery

Primghar, IA