Sandy Lee Dotson

     Sandra Lee Dotson, daughter of Fred Sr. and Rachel Zahrt, was born October 24, 1943 in Spencer, IA. She received her early education in Rossie and graduated from Greenville-Rossie High School. She continued her education by receiving her cosmetology degree at Beauty School in Des Moines, IA.

     Following beauty school, she owned and operated a salon in Sioux Rapids, IA. Sandy met the love of her life, James Dotson, at the Fireside Lounge at the Tangney Hotel in Spencer. They were later married on August 24, 1968. Following their marriage, they lived in the communities of Davenport, Fort Dodge, and in 1972, moved to Okoboji. Sandy then worked in several area salons until she retired after 40 years as a hairdresser.

     In her spare time, Sandy and Jim enjoyed taking trips to California, Branson, Florida and Mexico. Her heart belonged to “the lakes area;” always happy to talk at length of how and why it’s the best place on earth. “This is God’s Country,” she’d say. Her summer days were filled with countless trips to Arrowhead Beach, which over time, has been affectionately renamed by her many friends and family to “Sandy’s Beach.”       

     She was fiercely dedicated to her friends and family. Sandy was a fixture at every one of her sons’ sporting events and music concerts. She was known as their “biggest-little” fan. A favorite amongst her nieces and nephews and her five grandchildren. Sandy enjoyed life to the fullest and also rooting on the Iowa Hawkeyes every chance she could.

     Sandy passed away on March 5, 2023 at Aspire of Lake Park Nursing home at the age of 79. She is preceded in death by her parents; Fred Sr. and Rachel Zahrt. She was also preceded in death by her siblings: Fred Zahrt Jr, Beverly Jeppson, Darwin Zahrt, Roger Zahrt, Gary Zahrt Sr., and Suzanne Edington.

     Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 54 years, Jim Dotson of Wahpeton, IA; two sons and their wives: Darren and Katie Dotson of Wahpeton, IA and Damon and Ali Dotson of Waukee, IA; and five grandchildren: Samuel, Sydney, Arlo, Dawes, and Ilah; and her many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorials are designated to:

Sandy’s  five grandchildren or

Okoboji Protective Association

Memorial Services will be held at Noon on Friday, April 7, 2023 at the Downtown Church in Milford, Iowa.

Everyone is invited to a luncheon immediatley following the service at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials are to be directed to the family in Loving Memory of Sandy for her five grandchildren or to the Okoboji Protective Association.

Pastor Greg Jorgenson

Eulogy - Owen Stockdale

Samuel Dotson
Sydney Dotson
Arlo Dotson
Dawes Dotson
Ilah Dotson

Will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park Pavilion from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. with the family present.

Riverside Cemetery
Spencer, Iowa