Dorothy Jean Nitzschke, 84, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Accura Healthcare of Le Mars surrounded by her family and friends.

Celebration of Life Service will be at 7 pm on Friday, January 2, 2025, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Burial will be at later date at the Kingsley Cemetery in Kingsley, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will be from 6:00 pm until service time. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials can be directed to Le Mars Fire-Reacue.

Dorothy Jean Higginbotham, the daughter of Arthur and Thelma (Losetta) Higginbotham, was born on November 25, 1941, in Kingsley, Iowa. Dorothy grew up in Kingsley where she attended school. She
graduated from Kingsley High School.

She married Paul Nitzschke in Kingsley in 1962. From this marriage, one son, Brian, was born. They later separated but remained friends.

Dorothy lived and worked in Le Mars. She worked for VanderMeer Bakery in Le Mars for over 50 years. She enjoyed working at the bakery. She decorated many birthday, wedding, and graduation cakes. She also decorated many holiday cookies and made many gingerbread houses. She also worked for Westmar College and Archie's Waeside in Le Mars for a short time. She also kept up with her son's photography of Le Mars Fire Rescue, always waiting for him to return home after photographing calls, no matter the time of day.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Brian Nitzschke of Le Mars, IA; her grandson, Jesse Nitzschke of St. Paul, MN; her beloved cat, "Maddie"; and many former customers of the bakery and many
friends.

Those who went on before her were parents, Arthur and Thelma Higginbotham; two sisters; two brothers; her former husband; and many other relatives.