Dorothy Jean Sherratt, 101, of Newton, died Mon-day, May 11, 2026, at Newton Village. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Monday, May 18, at Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory, Newton. Memorials to an Animal Rescue League of the donor’s choice may be left at the funeral home.
Dorothy, the daughter of Arie and Eva (VerHeul) Van Arkel, was born July 4, 1924, in Sully. She grew up in Sully and graduated from Sully High School. In 1944, Dorothy married Robert “Bob” Sherratt in Colfax. They made their home in Newton. For a short time, Dorothy worked at the Vernon Company before being a homemaker for many years. To many in Newton, Dorothy was known as the face of the YMCA, greeting members during the early morning hours for over 30 years and retiring in 2019. One of her favorite Y memories involved getting a ride from Liz Dodd in a trash truck just to open on time during a snowstorm.
During Bob and Dorothy’s early marriage, they enjoyed many trips to go fishing in northern Minnesota. In 1970, they purchased their own cabin on Lake Bertha. That became Dorothy’s “happy place,” and she would spend many summers surrounded by friends, family, and all the peacefulness that lake life provided. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and enjoyed bowling and playing cribbage. Dorothy had a knack for making all those around her feel like they were important and special.
Dorothy is survived by her children Glen Sherratt and Sue Yoder, both of Newton; grandchildren Jodie (Rod) Ray, Tony (Laura) Sherratt, Matt (LaTisha) Yoder, Nick (Nia) Yoder, Jarod (Blake) Yoder, and Kendall Brown; her great-grandchildren Jordan (Shannon) Ray, Rowen Sherratt, Teeah Yoder, Irelynd VanWeelden, and Mac Yoder; and great-great-grandchildren Korbin and Leighton.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bob in 1992; son Tom Sherratt; son-in-law Kenny Brown; daughter-in-law Karen Sherratt; and siblings Susie Klyn and Pete Van Arkel.
