Obituary of Minnette F. Doderer

Minnette F. Doderer, 82, former State Legislator died Friday, August 12, 2005, at the Oaknoll Retirement Residence in Iowa City from colon cancer. A celebration of Minette’s life and her accomplishments will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, September 24, 2005 at the Hills Community Center. A Memorial Service will also be held Monday September 26 at 3:30 p.m. at the Oaknoll Retirement Residence. In Lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her memory. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa city is caring for Minnette’s family and her arrangements. Online condolences maybe sent for her family through our website @www.gayandciha.com. Minnette Frerichs was born May 16, 1923 in Holland, Iowa. She graduated from high school in Waterloo, and from the University of Iowa. She married Fred H. Doderer on August 5, 1944. As a state legislator, she was recognized not only in our state but throughout the country as a lawmaker advocating women’s rights, equal rights amendments, juvenile justice, child care and many other issues. She attained the highest position ever held by a woman in the State Senate, which is President Pro Tempore. She was one of the founding members of the Iowa Women’s Political Caucus and Co-chair of the International Women’s Year coordinating committee. Minnette was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame in 1979. She received numerous awards and recognizations throughout her distinguished career and in retirement, including, Reproductive Rights Award, Business and Professional Women Women of Achievement Award, Citation from the American Academy of Pediatrics for sponsorship of legislation for Post Delivery Benefits and Care of Iowa’s Infants, Friend of Nursing Award, Feminist of the Year Award, Iowa City Senior Center Woman of the Year, Gold Seal Award, Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, ERA Tribute, Friend of Education Award, Distinguished Legislative Service Award, Iowa State Education Association, and the Good Citizenship Award. Her family includes a son, Dennis Doderer of Tucson, AZ; daughter, Kay Lynn Doderer and her husband, Frank Tiberio of Dania Beach, FL; sister, Kay DuFrene and her husband, Donald of Hollywood, FL; brother, Al Frerichs of Tucson, AZ; grandson, Thomas Tiberio and a great-granddaughter, Gabriella Giavianna Tiberio. A quote from Louise R. Noun in More Strong-Minded Women, “Minnette Doderer, tough-minded and outspoken, is the leading feminist in the Iowa Legislature…Doderer’s efforts on behalf of women are unflagging.” 1992 Her family was the backbone of her life; she fought hard and strong because she believed. Her family has always stood beside heron this journey, and they have been so proud to be Minnette Doderer’s family