Dorothy Mae (Reittinger) Plein, age 95, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 5:15 a.m., on October 18, 2018, at Hawkeye Care Center, surrounded by her loving family. To honor Dorothy’s life, funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, October 22, 2018, at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Ghost Church, 2921 Central Avenue, with Rev. Andrew Awotwe-Mensah officiating. To celebrate Dorothy’s life, family and friends may visit from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., on Sunday, October 21, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where there will be a parish scripture wake service held at 4:30 p.m. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Dorothy was born on May 12, 1923, in Dyersville, Iowa, daughter of William and Hilda (Davidshofer) Reittinger.

Dorothy was born and raised in the Dyersville area before eventually moving to Dubuque. She was united in marriage to the love of her life, Leo V. Plein, on November 10, 1943, at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville. The two were blessed with 2 children, and 56 wonderful years together, before Leo was sadly called home ahead of her on December 29, 2000. Dorothy embraced her role as a full time wife, mother and homemaker, but also devoted some of her time to working at Moes Bakery in Dubuque. She was a faith filled woman who was an active, long-time member of Holy Ghost Church.
When Dorothy was able to find some free time in her days, she enjoyed sitting down to work on her latest needlepoint creation. She was a social butterfly who took full advantage of every opportunity she could to sit down and play some cards, and talk about the events of the day with family and friends. Dorothy was also an avid Cubs fan, rarely missing a game on tv, and saw her lifelong dream fulfilled when they won the World Series in 2016. Family was beyond a doubt the most important aspect of Dorothy’s life, and she cherished any opportunity to get together with the children and grandchildren, always making sure they knew how loved and adored they were. Dorothy was a kind hearted, sweet woman, and everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her was definitely changed for the better from that experience. We will miss Dorothy dearly, but are extremely grateful for the 95 years we were blessed to have her here on this Earth, teaching, guiding, listening to us and loving us, and we take some comfort in knowing she is now watching over us from her Heavenly home.

Those left to cherish Dorothy’s memory include

her children,
Beverly A. (David) Unsen, Dubuque, IA
and Steven J. (Karen) Plein, Dubuque, IA;

her 4 grandchildren,
Julie (Sean) Kerr, Colleyville, TX,
Jason Unsen, Dubuque, IA,
Jenna Unsen, Fort Worth, TX
and Lisa Jellison, Dubuque, IA;

her 4 great-grandchildren,
Ryan and Makena Kerr and Aubrielle and Brynlee Jellison;

her brother,
Deacon Paul (Therese) Reittinger, Richardson, TX;

and several nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leo Plein; and her sister, Loraine (Eldon) Brown.

Dorothy’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to the nurses and staff of Hawkeye Care Center, who became like her second family, and Hospice of Dubuque, especially Tami and Suzanne, for all of the wonderful, professional and loving care they have given Dorothy.

A Dorothy M. Plein memorial fund has been established which will be distributed among her favorite charities.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com