Elwyn "Jr." Dotzenrod

Elwyn Dotzenrod, Jr, age 82 of Decorah, IA, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Wellington Place after a short illness.  Elwyn lived a life full of love, compassion, and dedication to his family and faith.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main Street, Decorah, IA 52101, with Father Donald Hertges presiding. Burial will follow at Stavanger Cemetery in Ossian, IA.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main Street, Decorah, IA 52101.

There will be no visitation on Tuesday morning before the Mass.

In Lieu of flowers: memorials may go to St. Benedict Church, Wellington Place or Regional Healthcare Hospice.

Elwyn, or JR to most who knew him, was born on November 15, 1942, in Cresco, IA to Elwyn (Dutch) and Phyllis Huber Dotzenrod.  He grew up in Ossian, IA and attended and graduated from St. Francis DeSales School in 1960.  He married Judy Bowles in 1966, and they had one daughter, Wendy.

After graduation, JR worked for Marigold Dairy and founded Dotzenrod Dairy a wholesale/retail delivery business.  He later was in the candy vending business for many years.  He “retired” in 1998.  After retiring, JR founded Decorah Express, dedicated to transporting Amish. This quickly became one of his favorite pastimes, and he formed dear friendships with the Amish.

In his spare time, JR loved riding his bike, often covering over 2,000 miles a year. In 1998, he participated in RAGBRAI, cycling from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River. JR also enjoyed playing cards, having daily coffee with friends, and weekly breakfasts with his brothers. He cherished the time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

JR was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Wendy Dotzenrod Ney, brother Randy, sister-in-law Sandy Dotzenrod and brother-in-law Gary Bowles.  He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judy, granddaughter Hailey (Dustin) Carolan of Iowa City, grandson, Hunter (Samantha) Spilde of Decorah and three great-grandchildren, Kipton Carolan, Cali Carolan and Myla Spilde, and his son-in-law Kraig Ney.  He is also survived by eight siblings, Richard (Dana) Dotzenrod, Karen (Robert) Friest, Mary (Ken) Schissel, Jim Dotzenrod, Kevin Dotzenrod, Laurie (Bill) Kesterson, Lisa (Tim) Crowley, Lynette (Terri) Wenthold, and sisters-in-law Anna Bowles and Jean Dotzenrod.

The Dotzenrod family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Regional Healthcare Home Health and Hospice, as well as Wellington Place, for the compassionate and dedicated care they provided to JR during his final days.