Dotta Jean Lorenz, 91

Dotta Jean Lorenz died at age 91 on July 8, 2015, in Tempe, Ariz. She was born Jan. 17, 1924, to William and Bernice Ross Campbell Randall in Tama County, and grew up in Gladbrook. She graduated from Gladbrook High School in 1941, where she was active in band, sports and cheerleading. After graduation, she worked for the Waterloo Daily Courier prior to enrolling in the Allen Memorial Hospital Lutheran School of Nursing. She graduated as a registered nurse in 1945. On Nov. 21, 1945, Dotta married her junior high school sweetheart, George “Porky” Lorenz. The couple had two children. In addition to being a talented evening wear seamstress and nurse, Dotta co-owned several popular Waterloo restaurants with her husband, including The Pink Elephant Drive-In, Porky’s Ranch House and Porky’s Red Carpet. In 1977, they moved to the Phoenix area to operate Porky’s Ship of Fools and Porky’s Dobson Ranch restaurants. On a dare in the early 1960s, Dotta, known to her family and friends as Bulldog, attended flight ground-school, passed the written pilot’s test with highest marks and soloed in a Piper Cub. In December 1991, she was blinded in a car crash. Her devastating injuries shaped the rest of her life. She persevered with bravery. In 2011, Dotta moved to the Friendship Village Health Care Center, Tempe, where she received excellent care. During her last 17 years, she also received extra-special assistance from caregiver and friend, Angelina Garcia of Mesa, Ariz. Dotta was preceded in death by her husband in 2007, her mother and father, maternal grandmother Elizabeth Payne Campbell, aunt Gladys Murty Parks and her beloved dogs Michelle and Charlie. She is survived by her daughter, Tamara Lorenz of Ames; her son, George “Bill” (Patty) Lorenz, and grandchildren Destiny, George William and Brandon Lorenz of Kingwood, Texas; her cousin, Jim (Nancy) Murty of Davenport; her sister-in-law, Ardys Lorenz of Grundy Center; her nieces, Mica (Mike Knapp) Lorenz and Annette (Jim) Wilson of Waterloo; her nephews, Rod (Dawn) Lorenz of Traer, Randy (Lynet) Lorenz of Waterloo and Dan (Chris) Lorenz of Cedar Falls; as well as grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. A ceremony to inter Dotta’s ashes will be held later in Arizona. In lieu of flowers and to assist student nurses, donations may be made to the Dotta J. Lorenz Scholarship and mailed to the Allen Foundation, 1825 Logan Ave., Waterloo, IA 50703.