Dorothy Jean Herbst, 90, of rural Hinton, Iowa, passed away on Monday, August 14, 2023, at her home following a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars.Tom Callender will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023 at the Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. Visitation will resume at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.

Dorothy Jean Herbst was born on December 25, 1932, in Le Mars, Iowa, the daughter of Samuel and Christena (Keller) Harvey. The family moved to California in 1940, and returned to the area in 1948. She attended country school west of Merrill, Iowa. After graduating from Merrill High School in 1952, Dorothy worked at the Hinton Stockyards. It was there that she met Ben Herbst. They were later married on October 19, 1960, in South Sioux City, Nebraska. They made their home on a farm west of Hinton and Merrill. Together they farmed with Ben's brother Ardie. Dorothy also worked for a short time at Archie's Waeside in Le Mars. Ben passed away on July 20, 1983. Dorothy continued to farm with Ardie, and later, with her sons, Steven, Michael and Brian.

Dorothy belonged to the Jehovah's Witnesses. She cooked numerous meals for helpers on the farm. She was well known for her fantastic cooking. On the farm she kept beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. She loved all types of animals, especially her horses. Dorothy was gifted at crocheting and gifted many of her works to family and friends.

She will be greatly missed by her sons, Steven Herbst of Merrill, IA, Michael Herbst of Hinton, IA and Brian Herbst and his wife, Cathy of Rockingham, VA; 4 granddaughters, Keera, Ashley, Samantha and Jaycee; 3 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Ben; an infant grandchild; an infant brother and brothers, Harold Rath, Leo Rath and Walter Harvey and sister, Josephine Harvey.