Dorothy Mary Francois passed away peacefully in Coralville, Iowa on January 12, 2025.  Born on March 21, 1931, to John and Chloe (Hook) Holthaus in rural Greeley, Iowa. Dorothy was the tenth of thirteen children.  At a young age her family moved to Manchester, Iowa where Dorothy attended the Manchester schools.

In 1950, she married Joseph Behan in Manchester, Iowa until his passing in 1955. Dorothy and Joseph were blessed with two children, Joseph Jr. and Ann.  In 1956, Dorothy married the man whom with she would spend the rest her life, Raymond Francois, in Masonville, Iowa.  Ray and Dorothy were blessed with seven more children and experienced numerous moves during Ray’s career with Great Plains Supply, Co., including Bernard, Cascade, Denison, and Belle Plaine, Iowa, and Springfield, Missouri where they retired and resided for 38 years until they moved to Coralville, Iowa in 2022.

Although Dorothy worked various jobs during her life, her most important roles were as a homemaker, faithful and loving wife, and mother of her nine children.  As a product of the Depression, Dorothy knew the meaning of doing without and developed a great sense of selflessness and sacrifice for her family.  She was a woman of great faith and a devout Catholic.  Dorothy was also known for her homemade bread.  Despite her children’s many attempts to replicate, she reigned queen.

Along with her husband, she enjoyed their many travels including traveling to all 50 States, attending countless MLB games, following the Missouri State Lady Bears basketball team, and special times spent with her children, grandchildren, and many friends.

Dorothy is survived by her husband Ray of Coralville, Iowa, five daughters, Ann (Gary) Kluesner of Dubuque, Iowa, Patti (Steve) Speake of Denison, Iowa, Joyce Francois of Iowa City, Iowa, Rae Ellen (Terry) Denker of Omaha, Nebraska, Michele (David) Rothe of Denison, Iowa, three sons, Michael (Shannan) Francois of Galena, Ohio, Dr. Dennis (Teresa) Francois of Ellensburg, Washington, Dr. Scott (Amy) Francois of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and one daughter-in-law, Ann Wuertzer Behan of Dubuque, Iowa, 25 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Joseph H. Behan, her son Joseph B. Behan, and her grandson Sage Francois, all twelve of her siblings, including brothers Stacy (Lucille) Batterton, Karl Holthaus, Walter (Florence) Holthaus, John (Hazel) Holthaus, Dale (Mary) Holthaus, Calvin Holthaus, sisters Minnie (Percy) McNeil, Bernice Holthaus, Emma Holthaus, Ida (Walter) Bender, Ethel (Chuck) Fairweather, and Ruth (Bill) Malone.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Stirlingshire of Coralville and to the many people at Iowa City Hospice for the wonderful care they provided.

Visitation for Dorothy will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2024, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Cascade, Iowa, where services for Dorothy will be held at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Mark Osterhaus presiding.  Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Cascade, Iowa.  The Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Iowa City Hospice, 1526 Sycamore Street, Iowa City, IA 52240.