In Loving Memory
Dorothy M. Gilman
December 18, 1931 - December 17, 2021

VISITATION
Monday, December 20, 2021
4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa

C.D. of A. Rosary
Monday, December 20, 2021
4:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa

PARISH VIGIL SERVICE
Monday, December 20, 2021
6:45 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
10:30 A.M.
Holy Family Catholic Church
Emmetsburg, Iowa

CELEBRANT
Rev. Bill Schreiber

BURIAL
St. John's Catholic Cemetery
Emmetsburg, Iowa

Dorothy Maxine Gilman, daughter of John and Mary (Miller) Donahue, was born December 18, 1931 on the family farm, west of Emmetsburg, Iowa.  She received her education in Emmetsburg, graduating from Emmetsburg High School in 1950.

On February 20, 1950 Dorothy was united in marriage to Leo Richard Gilman at Assumption Parish in Emmetsburg.  They were blessed with four children.  Leo worked in the Emmetsburg Creamery and the Municipal Utilities.  Dorothy worked at home caring for her family.  In 1967 she went to work at Berkley and Company and was employed there for sixteen and a half years.  She then accepted a job at Emmetsburg Community School where she worked in food service and remained in that capacity for twenty six years.

Dorothy was a lifetime member of Holy Family Catholic Church.  She taught religion classes and was a sixty year member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas.  Dorothy was active in many organizations, some including the Palo Alto County Hospital Auxiliary, Red Hat Society, Palo Alto Garden Club, R.S.V.P. Program and Road Runners Single Club.

Dorothy was extremely proud of her Irish heritage and looked forward to celebrating with family and friends each year.  She was a member of the St. Pat's Association and Robert Emmet Society.  She participated in the St. Pat's parade as one of the Shady Ladies, which Dorothy thoroughly enjoyed.  Once St. Pat's week started you rarely saw Dorothy out without being dressed from head to toe in her Irish attire.  One of Dorothy's greatest joys was being named Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick's Day parade in 2011.

Dorothy loved getting together with her family and entertaining friends.  She enjoyed the camping trips that she and Leo took. Dorothy also loved to go dancing.  Dorothy raised beautiful flowers around her home and enjoyed gardening.

Dorothy passed away Friday, December 17, 2021 at her home in Emmetsburg, Iowa, at the age of 89, just one day prior to celebrating her 90th birthday.  She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Donahue; her husband, Leo Gilman; five sisters, Bernice (Ira) Curry, Pat (Dick) Higgins, Ruth (Leo) Leonard, Mary (George) Hypes and Bernett (John) Leonard.

She is survived by her children, Kathy (Leo) Goeders of Emmetsburg, Iowa, Joe (Lori) Gilman of Spencer, Iowa, Kevin Gilman of Emmetsburg, Iowa and Jan (Don) McCombs of Graettinger, Iowa; eleven grandchildren; twenty three great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; many nieces and nephews; as well as other relatives and many friends.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home