Dorothy Ellen Poland

Dorothy Ellen Poland passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home, Rockwell, Iowa at 98 years of age. Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 1, at Faith United Church of Rockwell. Interment will be at the Alexander Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 am until the service on Saturday at the church. Woodley Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Dorothy and her family. Dorothy was born to Lewis and Dora (Larsen) Bell on May 6, 1926, in Alexander, Iowa, and baptized into the Alexander Methodist Church. She graduated Alexander High School and worked various jobs including in a cafe as well as the Post Office in Alexander and writing for the Belmond Independent Newspaper. Her career at the Rockwell Community Bank started as a teller, moving up to be Vice President before retiring from the bank. She treasured her time at the bank and valued her colleagues and boss J.B. She was united in marriage to Clifford Poland from Gladbrook, Iowa on June 23, 1946, at her parent’s home due to the unexpected fire in the local Methodist church. As a member of many clubs and groups of the Rockwell community and church, Dorothy enjoyed volunteering and socializing with friends and strangers alike. Clifford and Dorothy made volunteering, tithing and donating to help others in need a part of their Christian calling. She was instrumental in starting the Rockwell Community Nursing Home and made it her goal to reside there if the time came to do so. Dorothy enjoyed most any activity that she took part in but her favorite pastimes and hobbies were, touring throughout the US and Canada with family, baking, canning, gardening, puzzles, crocheting, reading Danielle Steel, and BINGO! Dorothy along with Cliff had a very close relationship to their grandchildren and great grandchildren helping to raise them, teach them and guide them with love and strong ethics. Their influence will live on for generations to come. She is survived by two sons Greg Poland of Rockwell, IA and Merle Poland (Karen) of Cedar Falls IA. Five grandchildren, Jenelle Klesel (Dennis) of Eden Prairie, MN, Chris Poland (Andrea) of Ames, IA, Michael Poland of Los Angeles, CA, Kate Poland (Derek Bass) of St. Paul, MN, and Drew Poland of Cedar Falls, IA, two step grandsons, Jeff McDonald (Deb) and Chris McDonald. Six great grandchildren, Brenna Klesel, Emily Klesel, Grace Klesel, Jamie Poland, Evan Poland and Lisette Bass, two step great grandchildren, Michael Riddell and Christopher McDonald Jr., nieces, nephews and friends. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Clifford, parents Lewis and Dora Bell, father and mother in law Walter and Hilda Poland, daughter in law Lori Poland, brother Eldon Bell, sisters, Erma Neal, Inez Ginapp, Alma Pals, and Lavonne Card, brothers in law Lloyd Poland, Richard Poland, Lawrence Poland, Glen Neal, Kennet Ginapp, Willie Pals, Irving DeFoor and Dallas Card, sisters in law, Arlene DeFoor, Luverne Bell and Dell Poland, nieces and nephews.

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Dorothy Ellen Poland

May 6, 1926 - February 25, 2025