Doris Jean (Powers) Sobotka of Laurens, Iowa, entered eternal life on May 2, 2022 at the age of 84 years old. Doris was born on December 31, 1937 at their family home in Pocahontas, Iowa to Clyde and Ethel (Stauffer) Powers. Doris was welcomed by sister, Opal, and 11 months later, Monica joined the siblings. Robert, Susan, and Kenny completed the Powers family, and they spent their childhood in Pocahontas. Doris attended Pocahontas Community Schools and was Homecoming Queen her senior year of high school. She began dating Joseph Sobotka her sophomore year of high school and patiently waited for him to return from the U.S. Army, (serving time in Korea), until they were married on June 16, 1956 at United Methodist Church in Pocahontas, Iowa. During her wait for Joe's return from military duty, Doris worked at the Ideal Café in Pocahontas and later for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. Joe and Doris made their home on the Sobotka family farm 6 miles south of Laurens for the next thirty years, before moving to an acreage one mile west of Laurens in 1987. After Joe's passing, Doris moved to an apartment at Homestead in Laurens, where she resided until her passing.

Joe and Doris had three children, Joann Kay, Nanette Jean and Jerry Dean. Doris worked part-time (in addition to working on the farm) for several years, including at Marie's, Joann's Fashions, and George's Drug Store in Laurens for 16 years. She served as the clerk for Joe's auction service for many years until Joe retired his auction gavel.

Doris was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church in Laurens and served the church whenever the doors were open! She was a member of UMW, Circle, K & K Club, and enjoyed playing cards in a couple's card club, as well as with a women's group in Laurens. The couple enjoyed dancing and were in a Square Dance Club for many years, in addition to attending dances every chance they had! First to come and last to leave the dance floor, they celebrated life and special events twirling across the floor! Doris also enjoyed cooking on the farm for all the help, joyfully served the church by baking or serving, and was known to send multiple cards every day in remembrance of special events, birthdays, and anniversaries in the community. She was an avid gardener, cooking and canning to stock up for long winters, and always had baked goods on the counter for neighbors and friends that stopped by for coffee. Holidays were special to her, and she included Czech dishes in every Christmas meal, making special Czech foods from Joe's heritage.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, her parents, Clyde and Ethel Powers, two sisters, Opal Harms and Susan Nancarrow, and Doris's father and mother-in-law, Jerry and Anna Sobotka and other relatives and friends.

Survivors of Doris include her children, daughter, Joann (Al) Kinnetz of Laurens and grandchildren Missy Dicus, Brandi (Rob) Mumma, Shawn (Ashton) Kinnetz, Lacey (Troy) Binkley, Blake (Amanda) Kinnetz, daughter Nanette (Steven) Koch of Sioux City and grandchildren, BJ (Kristin) Koch, Adam (Lori) Koch, son, Jerry Sobotka of Laurens, and grandchildren John (Angie) Sobotka, Joleen (Steven) Sernett, and nineteen great-grandchildren, her sister, Monica (Bill) Plantz of Pocahontas, and brothers Robert (Mona) Powers and Kenny (Denise) Powers of Exira in addition to many other relatives and friends.

Doris and Joe were inseparable during life, and we rejoice today that they are back together, and surely dancing on streets of gold.