Dorothy Ann (Balk) Winter, 87 of West Union, Iowa passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa. Dorothy Ann Balk, daughter of Nick and Dolly (Bradley) Balk, was born on January 6, 1938 on the family farm near Waucoma, Iowa. Dorothy entered the world just before her twin brother Duane “Fritz” Balk. She met the love of her life Daniel Winter from St. Lucas and were married on September 13, 1958. Dan and Dorothy were married for 67 years and blessed with seven children.
Dorothy worked at the West Union hospital as a nurse’s aide until she made the decision to become a full-time farm wife and mother.
Dorothy’s passion in life was her music, and she volunteered many hours playing her accordion and keyboard at many local nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and the Senior Citizen Center in West Union. She was active in dairy farming alongside her husband for many years in the West Union and Hawkeye area. Dan and Dorothy spent many hours traveling the 50 States on their Honda Goldwing motorcycle along with many snowmobiling trips to Yellowstone. She was active at Holy Name Church and the Rosary Society.
Dorothy enjoyed her grandchildren and their visits to the farm and shared her enjoyment of riding three wheelers, dirt bikes, four wheeling trips to Wisconsin, and family trips to South Dakota, Colorado, and Wyoming. She continued the enjoyment of having the grandchildren visit with their children consisting of 13 great grandchildren.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, Daniel “Dan” Winter; her children, Deb (Dave Meeter) Winter, Daniel Jr. (Susan) Winter, Duane (Rebecca) Winter, Diane (Jim) Johnson, Dora (Alan Knepper) Winter, Dale Winter, and David (Ann) Winter; seven grandchildren, Duane Winter II, Joseph (Jessica) Winter, Jessica (Erik) Gran, Brianna (Dan) White, Nicholas (Paige) Winter, Brandon (Jaycee) Johnson, and Katelyn (Cody) Nilges; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Mary (Gerry) Hackman and sisters in-law, Patricia Balk and Wilma Balk.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Nicholas and Dolly Balk; her in-laws, Joseph and Mary Winter; brothers, Harry Balk, Robert Balk, Duane Balk, and an infant brother, Donald Balk; sister Arlene Spengler; brother-in-law, Stu Spengler, and sister-in-law, Elaine Balk.
Private family services will be held.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with services.