Dorothy Slifka

Dorothy F. Slifka, 95, of Waukon, died Monday, December 29, 2014, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Sunday, January 4 at 1 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon with Deacon Mike Ward officiating. Burial was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.
Dorothy Frances Slifka was born January 27, 1919 in Cresco to Samuel and Ida (Bergman) Kratz. She was raised on her family’s farm in Howard County and received her education in a country school. Dorothy married the love of her life, Clarence W. Slifka May 26, 1939 at Assumption Catholic Church in Cresco. Dorothy and Clarence farmed in Cresco until they moved to Waukon in 1960. They owned and operated Slifka Café where Dorothy prepared and cooked fresh donuts every morning for 15 years. After closing the café, she continued as a cook at local diners and performed cleaning duties for a local business.
Dorothy and her husband enjoyed gardening, family picnics and fishing. Family will fondly remember her daily chores routine, groomed flowerbeds and her wonderful homemade meals. She volunteered at Makee Manor and was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church.
Dorothy is survived by twin daughters Judy (Vic) Wolfe of Keystone and  Jean Lydon of Waukon; a son, Jeff (DeeDee) Slifka of Rochester, MN; 13 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; 11 great-great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Irene Slifka of Cresco; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, who died  September 27, 1991; four sisters: Mae Vernette Kratz, Marjorie Bronner, Loretta Mustard and Helen Zikuda; three brothers: Leonard, Glen, and Roger Kratz; two sons-in-law: Donald Sevart and Thomas Lydon; and two great-grandchildren.
Honorary casketbearers are her great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Casketbearers were Alex, Adam, Josh and Jeremy Slifka, John Lydon and Bill Sevart.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.