Dorothy Ziglar French, 102, of Burlington, died Oct. 3, 2024, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.
Dorothy had many talents. She was musical and played the xylophone and recorder. She loved flowers and grew many varieties in her yard and always had a fresh bouquet on her kitchen table. Vegetable gardening was a must, and she grew and canned many for her family. She also sewed clothing for her children and made beautiful quilts for her family and for others. She knitted and crocheted afghans, booties, and hats for babies. Her special talent was helping anyone in need in any she could and with a smile on her face.
Born Sept. 17, 1922, in Burlington, she was the daughter of John Washington and Dora Schuster Ziglar. She married Harold Kirby French on April 5, 1942, in Burlington. He preceded her in death on Dec. 15, 1991.
Dorothy was a lifelong resident of Burlington and lived nearly all of her life in the house where she was born and raised. She was a homemaker and served as a Cub Scout den mother and as a Girl Scout troop leader. She was involved in the Heritage Quilt Club and volunteered at the Burlington Public Library and in several elementary schools in Burlington.
She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church where she sang in the church choir and participated in the women’s society. She belonged to United Methodist Women and served as a district officer. She served two missions in Nicaragua. She lived her faith, which was a generous and broad-minded Christianity.
After raising her children, she traveled to Germany, Egypt, Israel, and Ecuador.
She is survived by her children: Peter (Marilyn) French of Council Bluffs, Iowa; John (Lucy) French of Irving, Texas; Paul (Suzanne) French of Burlington; Ruth French of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Mark French of Burlington; David (Lexie) French of Washington, Iowa; and Mary (Jeff) Rand of St. Louis, Missouri; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Jim French, and three brothers, John Ziglar, Richard Ziglar and Paul Ziglar.
A memorial has been established for the United Methodist Global Ministries project to provide fresh water for Central Congo.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 12 at Lunning Chapel. Pastor Nancy Sutherland will officiate. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 at Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends.