Dolores Jean (Matthews) Hoffmeister, 84 of Fort Madison, IA, passed away in the early morning of February 23, 2025 at Birkwood Village in Fort Madison. She was born on July 6, 1940, in Delphos, Iowa to Trueman and Vivian Matthews. She graduated from Fort Madison High School in 1958. She married the love of her life, Ken, on June 12, 1960, in Fort Madison, IA and they began their life together living in LaHarpe, IL. In 1966 they moved their growing family to Fort Madison, IA. Jean worked at the Iowa State Penitentiary and Union Electric before beginning a 30+ year career at Fort Madison Community Hospital, retiring as Director of Human Resources.
Jean always enjoyed an active community and social life; regardless of any work demands. She was very active in the Fort Madison community tirelessly working on the City Council, serving as a Trustee on the Fort Madison Library Board and as President of the Fort Madison Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Jean was one of the original organizers of Fort Madison's RSVP, a longtime member of the King’s Daughters and Sons Double Ten Circle of Fort Madison, served on the YMCA Board of Directors, and served on the Iowa State Penitentiary's Community Advisory Committee. Jean was a Fort Madison Historic Tour guide, a member of the Rodeo Committee including Parade Marshall, and was an Elder Emeritus at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Jean was one of Fort Madison's three original representatives on the Southeast Iowa Regional Riverboat Commission which helped bring the Emerald Lady to Fort Madison and later Catfish Bend Riverboat Casino.
Jean was an avid card player, loved working in her flower gardens, and traveling to warm places. Her favorite getaway spot was in Florida on the beach and in the water around Sanibel Island, collecting shells, reading, swimming and relaxing in paradise with her beloved husband.
Jean is survived by sons: Kurt (Ellen) Hoffmeister of Leesburg, FL and Trueman (Wendy) Hoffmeister of Wewoka, OK; daughter: Joy (Bruce) Pankow of Greeley, CO; 6 grandchildren; her brother: William (Sandy) Matthews of Greenville, NC and sister: Trudy (the late Ray) Hesse of Stillwell, KS. Plus, her many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Ken Hoffmeister, her parents and her sister, Nettie.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. A visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. A memorial service will immediately follow at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery. Online condolences to the Hoffmeister family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com. A memorial has been established for the Iowa Branch of King’s Daughters and Sons Camp Lookout. Checks can be made out to Camp Lookout. Please send them to: Camp Lookout, # 8 Oak Drive, Fort Madison, IA, 56267.
