Martha Ann Kirke (Kewpie) Dorweiler

Visitation with the family will occur from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 20, in the St. Augustin Parish Hall. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. and a lunch will be served directly after the Mass. The family will hold a private interment later that afternoon at Resthaven Cemetery.

Martha was born on October 2, 1928 in the Des Moines home of her parents, Bernard and Pearl (Laverty) Kirke. To her eternal annoyment, she acquired the nickname of "Kewpie" and was never able to shake it.

A lifelong Iowa resident, she attended St. Augustin School and Roosevelt High before enrolling at the University of Iowa and she remained an avid and loyal Hawkeye through the good times and the bad. Thereafter, she worked briefly at the Equitable of Iowa before marrying Philip J. Dorweiler on September 2, 1950. She returned to the workforce in 1974 when she became the first employee of her brother Gary's insurance firm (KVI). She loved working there and participating in its success.

Martha was also a member of the Junior League; the PEO Chapter GI; and Delta Gamma Sorority. She was an avid card and bridge player who earned Life Master status from the American Contract Bridge League many years ago. She also served for a time on the Board of the Greater DSM Bridge Corporation.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Bernard (Bud) and Richard and her sister, Virginia Kirke Monnig. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Philip J. Dorweiler; her children, Nancy (George) Johnson of Booneville; Kirke (Beth) of West Des Moines; Robert (Jody) of Des Moines; and Mary Ann (Chris) Gordon of Riva, MD; her brothers, Robert (Loral) Kirke of Des Moines; William (Mary) Kirke of Scottsdale, AZ; Stephen (Marcia) Kirke of Waukee; and Gerald Kirke of West Des Moines; her sister-in-law, Jeanne Kirke of Scottsdale, AZ; and her brother-in-law, Philip Monnig of Longboat Key, FL; her eight grandchildren, Jason (Shannon) Codner; Lauren (Tobin) Sykes; and Katey, Jimmer, Annie, Ben, Matt and Stephen Dorweiler; and her two great-grandchildren, Katey and Hunter Codner; and a host of loving nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in her name to either the Greater DSM Bridge Foundation; 10910 Hickman Rd; Clive, IA 50325; or to the Kirke/MonniglDorweiler Charitable Fund at St. Augustin Church; 42 and Grand Ave; DSM, IA 50312.