Dorothy E. Royer, daughter of Ralph and Flora (Dewar) Escue, lived a life marked by devotion to her family, faith, work and community. Dorothy attended Quimby High School, graduating in 1950, and later continued her education at Iowa Central Community College. She worked as a bookkeeper at Mangold Plumbing and Heating for three years.
On March 1, 1953, she married Don Royer. They celebrated 67 years of marriage before he passed in March 2020. Together they built a loving family with three children: Tom, Diane and Dennis. When her kids were grown, Dorothy worked for Nomad Travel Agency for 22 years and was known for her dedication and dependable spirit. She also enjoyed many trips because of Nomad.
Dorothy's faith and community service were central to her life. She was a devoted member of Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder, deaconess, was on the Worship & Music Committee, and on the Long-Range Planning Committee, beginning in 1962. She also shared her love of music as a member of the church choir for 65 years. She was a longtime member of the Tone Circle, a women’s singing group. Dorothy had a beautiful alto voice and sang solos for many wedding and funeral services. Her children fondly remember her singing while doing household chores. Her commitment to service extended through her membership in the P.E.O. Sisterhood since 1970 — Chapter EE, Cherokee and Chapter DJ, Lake Havasu City, Cherokee Tone Circle, volunteer work with the MOPS program and Cherokee Archives, and her involvement as both a member and volunteer at Cherokee Country Club. She was a proud supporter of R & R Rescue in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Dorothy is lovingly remembered by her sons: Tom and his wife Joleen; Dennis and his wife Debbi; her daughter, Diane McCue and her husband Monte; her grandchildren: Kelly (Aaron) Lawson; Kevin; Michael (Kayla; Alex; and Taylor; her great-grandchildren: Oliver, Coraline and Everly Lawson; and Penelope Royer; her brother Ben and his wife Elaine; her sister Faye Smith (Dave DeWitt); and several nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Flora Escue; her husband Don; granddaughter Sabrina Royer; brothers, Albert and Frank; and her in-laws: Lula and Oscar Royer, Dottie Escue, Dorothy and Bob Jung, Jean and Keith Steffy, and Ruth and Carl Colbie.
Dorothy passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. Graveside memorial services will be held later this summer in Cherokee. Boothby Funeral Home of Cherokee is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
