Dorothy Jean (Van Arkel) Sherratt

Dorothy Jean Sherratt, 101, of Newton, died on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Newton Village.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, May 17, at the funeral home.  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 on 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; 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 Sheratt 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.

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