Dorothy “Petey” A. Liberty, of Merrill, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 at her home under the care of Ministry Home Care and Hospice.
She was born May 15 in Merrill to the late Herbert and Theodora (Strassburg) Zimbal. She married Robert J. Liberty on Dec. 24, 1983. He died on May 12, 2005.
Dorothy was a medical assistant in Dr. Beyer’s office before her retirement. She enjoyed music and played the violin at her church, St. Stephens United Church of Christ, where she was a life long member. Dorothy also enjoyed swimming, skiing, gardening, traveling and doing firewood.
Dorothy is survived by close family friends Bruce Clifford of Irma and Judy Buch; 3 step-sons, Ronald Liberty of Watersmeet, MI, John Bruce Liberty of Lino Lakes, MN, and Charles Liberty of Middleton, WI; nieces, Linda Taranto of Williams, AZ, Camilla Zimbal of Lewisville, TX, Sharyn Friestad of Payson, AZ, Susan Post of Lake Wilson, MN, and Rebecca Northstrum of Tempe, AZ; nephews, Ray Zimbal, Jr. of Coppell, TX, and Jeffrey Zimbal of Mesa, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; 2 sons, Garvin Hankwitz, Jr. and Stephen Hankwitz; her sister, Ruth Davis; 2 brothers, Harold and Raymond Zimbal; and her niece, Cynthia Flye.
Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 11 a.m. at St. Stephens United Church of Christ in Merrill. Pastor Missy Holdorf will officiate. Visitation will be on Tuesday, Dec. 27 from 9:30 until time of services at the church. The Waid Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. On-line condolences can be made at www.waidfuneral.com.