Obituary for Ruth Wilcox Dotterer

Ruth Wilcox Dotterer of West Des Moines passed away peacefully in hospice on March 14th due to complications from a stroke. Ruth was born on November 22^nd, 1932 in Philadelphia, PA to Charles Wilcox and Ruth (Hyland) Wilcox.

She had fond memories of her childhood, particularly of traveling with her mother on buying trips to New York City to purchase items for her mom’s dress shop (Ruth would go on to study fashion merchandising in college) and of their family’s summer vacations on the New Jersey Shore. 

Ruth graduated from Centenary College in New Jersey, where she excelled in the classroom and on the varsity lacrosse and field hockey teams. After graduation, she married John (Jack) Dotterer on July 10^th, 1954 and they started their family in the Philadelphia area while Jack completed medical school. The family moved to the Midwest in 1960 during Dr. Dotterer’s service in the US Air Force, and later settled in Ottumwa, Iowa when his service with the Air Force was complete. Iowa would remain Ruth’s home for the rest of her life.

Ruth had a great eye for antiques and was very skilled at restoring wood pieces. All of her homes along the way were full (possibly too full) of beautiful antiques, many brought back to life by Ruth herself. For a few years, she owned and operated her own antique store in Ottumwa before she and Jack retired to a home near Lake Red Rock.       

Ruth enjoyed watching tennis and college basketball - following Iowa, Iowa State, Drake and Duke (primarily because of Coach K). Ruth was also active in her retirement community, serving on several committees during her time there and could still be found doing her morning exercises every day, walking in the halls with a friendly “hello” to anyone she encountered. 

She was widely known as an artist, producing original hand-carved wooden Santas. During her busiest carving years, her santas were sold throughout the region and in galleries and displayed in the American Folk Art Museum in New York City. Her artwork was a mainstay at the Edgewater Holiday Bazaar and was featured every year during the holiday season at West End Salvage in downtown Des Moines. She continued to carve her Santas until just days before her passing. Friends and family who visited Ruth would always check out what’s new in the “Santa Shop” and very rarely left empty handed.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, brother John (Jack) Wilcox, and husband Dr. John Dotterer. She is survived by her three children: Julie Dotterer of Otley, Scott Dotterer (Jean) of Davenport and Mary Dotterer Pitcher (Mike) of Des Moines.  Five grandchildren: Chad Dotterer (Kelsie) of Coralville, Andy Dotterer of Davenport, Sophie Bishop (Jay Bonetti) of Chelsea, MA, Molly Dotterer (Nick Jurczyk) of Moline, IL and Caty Bishop (Dave Derong) of Des Moines, along with two great-grandchildren, Mason Dotterer and Oliver Dotterer.

There will be no funeral or memorial services per Ruth’s request. Please no flowers or contributions to anything. The family’s only request is that you remember your last visit or conversation with her.