Dorothy Ruth Goodenbour, 91, of Cedar Falls, formerly of Waterloo, died Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at the Elizabeth Martin Center of Western Home Communities surrounded by her loving family after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

She was born August 13, 1927 on a farm in rural Waverly, daughter of Carl and Martha Brandt Leisinger. She married Curtice Dean Goodenbour May 20, 1956 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly; he died December 19, 2004. Dorothy attended country school in Waverly through 8th grade, ultimately leaving school to help at the farm. In 1985 she obtained her GED, of which she was very proud.

Dorothy worked briefly at Black’s Department Store in downtown Waterloo but spent most of her life as a homemaker. It was there that she developed her exceptional cooking abilities. She could prepare virtually anything, but was known for her homemade bread, cinnamon rolls and other goodies. She also enjoyed gardening and maintained a very large garden from which she obtained many bountiful harvests.

She was an active member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waterloo, where she taught Sunday School and was involved with the Lydia Circle. Dorothy was a member of the Keepsake Quilting Guild and the Prairie Rose Embroidery Guild, something she enjoyed with her daughter-in-law, Deb. In her retirement years, she and Curt went on several bus trips. Most of all, Dorothy loved her family, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dorothy is survived by one son, Bruce (Deborah) Goodenbour of Cedar Falls; two daughters, Jane (Dean) Van Loh of Iowa City, and Pam (Phil) Schaefer of Asbury; six grandchildren: Jeff (Mairin Finn) Goodenbour, Doug (Briana) Goodenbour, Chris (Amy) Van Loh, Mike (Heather Molyneaux) Van Loh, Melissa (Shaun Ruff) Schaefer, and Dan (Kristin) Schaefer; seven great-grandchildren: Gavin, Nora, Aiden, Callen, Emmett, Ryder, Easton, plus one expected in June 2019; and a sister, Delores Banser of Waverly.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Melvin, Leonard and Erwin Leisinger; a brother-in-law, Lester Banser; and two sisters-in-law, Darlene and Alice.