Dorothea Manning

Dorothea Ellen Manning was born Sept 16, 1922, and passed away Sunday August 15, 2021, one month prior to her 99th birthday. Dorothea was born in Adel to Herschel and Lucille Thornton. After graduation she spent a period of time in Santa Monica, CA for which she had fond memories. She married Walter L Manning January 9, 1943, while he was serving in WWII. They spent a short time in Florida and returned to Iowa where they resided in Des Moines and then North of Booneville. In 1954 they built their own home in Booneville. Dorothea, more frequently known as “Dottie” or “Grandma Dot”, was described by one of her grandchildren as a “vibrant, colorful, strong soul who could always see the positive in life.” She lost her arm to cancer in 2009 at the age of 86 but lived in her own home until her death—a testament to that strength and independent nature. She lived alone after Walter’s death in March 2014. She and Walter raised four children and enjoyed fishing, camping, and traveling together. She found attending musicals at KRNT theatre delightful, collected a large variety of records, and loved movies and Frank Sinatra’s songs. They spent hours watching their children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. She designed and sewed quilts, was an avid reader, and solved Sudoku puzzles. She and Walter were members of the “Merry Steppers”, a square-dancing club, in their earlier years enjoying community square dancing which included entire families, young and old. In the last decade of her life, she expanded her knowledge of the computer and websites. At one point she was playing Words with Friends with 17 different people at one time, several from other countries. She liked to go to casinos and try her luck. Dorothea is survived by her children, Julie (Fred) Jackson, Walter Manning, Jr., Alan (Kris) Manning, and Corky (Dale) Edwards, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed. On Thursday September 16 memorial services will be held at 3PM at the Booneville Methodist Church with burial following at the Booneville Cemetery. A reception will follow from 5PM to 8PM for all family and friends at the Van Meter Legion Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society or the Van Meter Legion (PO Box 81, Van Meter, IA 50261).