Leoba “Tobey” Dotzler

Leoba “Tobey” Dotzler died on March 13, 2023, at the age of 93. She was born on April 20, 1929, in Cresco, Iowa, the daughter of Albert and Walburga (Tennessen) Schatz.  She attended St. Joseph Grade School, and graduated valedictorian of her class from Assumption High School in Cresco. On June 27, 1950, she was united in marriage to Gerald Dotzler. They farmed in the Cresco and Mabel, Minn., areas before retiring to Arizona in 1979, where they lived in Fountain Hills and Tucson.  After the death of her husband in 2002, she moved to Casa Grande, Ariz., where she was a hospice volunteer, and then spent summers in Cresco, avoiding the Arizona heat. She was active in her faith in Cresco, Mabel and Arizona. Wherever she lived, her favorite activities were visiting family and friends, playing cards and games, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, reading, playing bingo at church, going on a few bus trips, and taking an occasional trip to a casino. One of her very favorite pastimes was making phone calls to her many relatives and friends, near and far. Leoba donated her body to Research for Life in Arizona. 

She is survived by her 11 children:  Gary (Kim Clark) Dotzler of Gilbert, Ariz., Kathy (Dan) Schmitt of Cresco, Iowa, JD/Jeff Dotzler of Casper, Wyo., Dan Dotzler of Fulda, Minn., Mark (Elizabeth Turner) Dotzler of Phoenix, Ariz., Kelly (Becky) Dotzler of Fountain Hills, Ariz., Kristy (Dave Knutson) Olerud of Phoenix, Ariz., Chad Dotzler of Minnesota, Clair (Jeanette) Dotzler of Tucson, Ariz., LeAnn (Jason) Brune of Leesburg, Ind., and Monica (Darryl) Delbridge of Chandler, Ariz. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, her sister-in-law Grace Schatz, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Gerald; daughter-in-law Sharon Dotzler, her parents, her brothers and sisters-in-law Wilfred and Dolores Schatz, Raphael and Rosella “Toddy” Schatz, Joseph Schatz, and Adrian and Elizabeth “Betty” Schatz. She was also preceded in death by her in-laws Henry and Clara Dotzler, Evelyn and Elmer “Mac” McKitrick, and Henry “Hank”’ and Lucille Dotzler.

A memorial service will be held in Cresco at a later date, yet to be determined.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice or to the family.