Ona "Marie" Dorsett

Ona “Marie” Dorsett, age 96, formerly of Fairfield, passed away October 2, 2015 in Marion, Iowa.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Fairfield with Pastor John Kermott and Jim Wotherspoon officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery.

Visitation for family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at Behner Funeral Home.

Memorials can be made to the First Baptist Church. Card and memorials can be mailed to: 2425 Valleyview Ct., Marion, IA 52302.

Marie was born November 18, 1918 in Kay County Oklahoma to Claude R. and Ruby (Spencer) Meade.

Marie attended schools in Blackwell, Oklahoma and graduated from Blackwell High School in 1936. After attending Oklahoma Baptist University for 2 years and Oklahoma State University, she received a Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education in 1940. Marie taught in Bartlesville, Oklahoma lower grades classroom and music in grades 1-6. She taught in Houston Texas during World War II. Marie was employed at Humble Oil Company in the Annuities and Benefit Department during World War II in Houston, TX.

She married Howard Dorsett February 8, 1947 in Houston, Texas at the First Baptist Church. They moved to Fairfield in September of 1947. Marie attended the University of Iowa and earned a master’s degree in developmental Reading and was a Certified Reading Specialist in 1973. She had a strong interest in children’s literature and the picture books. She retired from teaching in the Ottumwa, Iowa elementary schools in 1984.

Marie had a lifelong interest in music. She was a member of American Association of University Women, International Reading Association, Lifelong member of National Education Association, Iowa State Education Association, Iowa Retired School Personnel Association, International Federation of University Women and a member of First Baptist Church, Fairfield, IA.

Marie is survived by her four children, Stephen (Jeanne) Dorsett of Broken Arrow, OK, Ronald Dorsett of Kennesaw, GA, Jane (Craig) O’Brien of Marion, IA and David Dorsett of Omaha, NE; 8 grandchildren, Caleb Dorsett, Joel Dorsett, Emily Dorsett, Joshua Dorsett, Melissa (David) Murphy, Scott (Danica) O’Brien, Kimberly (Brent) Potts and Gregory Dorsett (deceased); 6 great grandchildren; and four nieces and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Ruby Meade; her husband, Howard Dorsett; one grandson; and one sister.

On-line condolences can be made to the family at: behnerfh.com.