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March 19, 2025The Celebrant will be Father Patrick Behm. Music will be by Kathy Halbur and Kathleen Macke. Lectors will be Crystal Hoffman and Randi Heisterkamp. Gift Bearers are Haddie Irlbeck, Camden Bellinghausen and Lily Heisterkamp. Casket Bearers will be Scott Hudson, Joel Armstrong, Nick Bellinghausen, Matt Hoffman, Adam Heisterkamp and Joe Irlbeck. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery at Maple River.
Visitation is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume on Friday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Memorial contributions will be directed to the St. Francis Cemetery Fund. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Dorothy’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Dorothy Theresa, daughter of John and Margaret (Rutten) Venner, was born June 26, 1930, in Carroll, Iowa. Dorothy was the youngest of 12 children and grew up at Maple River. She attended St. Francis School through the eighth grade. Dorothy then worked at St. Anthony Hospital and the Burke Hotel.
On December 30, 1952, Dorothy was united in marriage with Al Bellinghausen at St. Francis Church with Rev. Laurence Schoeppner officiating. Six children were born to this union and they lived in the house that Al built in Maple River. Dorothy enjoyed being an Avon Rep and Team Leader for more than 45 years.
Dorothy was a longtime and faithful member of St. Francis in Maple River where she was Eucharistic Minister and member of the Choir and Guild. She volunteered with numerous funeral luncheons and helped with bingo at the nursing homes. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters.
Dorothy and Al enjoyed traveling on cruises, going overseas, and visiting all 50 states. She crocheted baby blankets for the hospital, made dresses for children in Honduras and sewed masks for local nursing homes during covid. Dorothy always enjoyed gardening and flowers
Dorothy is survived by five children: Jim (Diane) Bellinghausen of Carroll; Sharon Hudson and special friend Mike Bailey of Mabank, Texas; Dale (Donna) Bellinghausen of Halbur; Deb (Joe) Thielen of Maple River; and Karla (Jack) Heisterkamp of Carroll; a daughter-in-law Susie Bellinghausen of Arizona; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; A brother Cyril (Anita) Venner of Arcadia; Sisters-in-law: Mary Bellinghausen of Carroll, Alvina Beyer of Florida, Cindy Irlbeck of Carroll, Jeannette Brown of Carroll, Mary Bolan of Carroll, and a brother-in-law Wayne (Sharon) Bellinghausen of Carroll.
She was preceded in death by her parents: her husband Alvin; a son Rich Bellinghausen; a son-in-law Mike Hudson; six brothers: Lawrence Venner, Andrew Venner, Clarence Venner, Tony Venner, Ed Venner and Albin Venner; four sisters: Helen Meister, Marie Redig, Florence Bellinghausen and Rita Koester; and by numerous in-laws.