Dolores was born on May 5, 1937, in Keystone, Iowa, to Johnnie Emil Hansen and Elizabeth Catherine (Heitmann) Hansen. She was raised in the farming community of Keystone, where faith, hard work, and family formed the foundation of her life. She attended a Lutheran parochial school, where her deep commitment to Christian education—and the importance of raising her children in faith—first took root.
She married Arthur Eugene Underwood on January 22, 1956, at First Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine, Iowa, and together they built a family centered on faith, love, perseverance, learning, and unwavering devotion. While raising eleven children, Dolores intentionally invested time in each one, nurturing their unique personalities, gifts, and callings. The result was eleven remarkably different individuals, each encouraged to become fully themselves while remaining grounded in faith, character, and purpose. She taught her children to love Jesus, work hard, serve others, think independently, and pursue lives of meaning and conviction.
Her children remember a home filled with the fruits of tireless labor and loving care—basement shelves lined with canned vegetables and fruit from the garden, stone crocks filled with cucumbers, endless loads of laundry (imagine how many cloth diapers she washed), and three home-cooked meals prepared every day, all carried out faithfully and without complaint. Yet even amid the demands of raising a large family, Dolores found joy in tending her flowers, sitting at the piano to play hymns from the church hymnal, painting, needlework, quilting, sewing, sharing stories, and enjoying thoughtful conversations and spirited debates.
Faith was central to Dolores’ life. She lived with a deep trust in God that carried her through every season of life. Her family has vivid memories of seeing her read her Bible, pray quietly, serve faithfully, and live out her beliefs through daily actions rather than words alone. Those who knew her saw a life marked by steadfast conviction and an unwavering commitment to following Jesus Christ faithfully, creating a spiritual legacy that continues through her children, grandchildren, and future generations.
Dolores devoted much of her life to serving her church, community, and country. She played piano and organ at church, taught Sunday school, and nearly every Sunday provided the flowers for the service. She drove a school bus for the local school district for more than 20 years and taught biology and algebra and coached the girls’ basketball team at Cono Christian School, the same school she and Arthur chose for their children. Dolores faithfully sacrificed to ensure each of her children received a quality, faith-based education grounded in biblical principles.
Dolores also possessed a lifelong love of learning and civic involvement. In her mid-fifties, she returned to school and graduated from the American Institute of Commerce in Cedar Falls, Iowa, as a legal assistant/paralegal, reflecting her determination and commitment to learning. She enjoyed thoughtful political discussion, encouraged independent thinking, and remained actively engaged in civic life throughout the years. As a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary, she held a deep love for her country. She later ran for the office of Iowa State Representative, coming remarkably close to winning. Dolores and Arthur also volunteered as retreat coordinators for Arthur’s Navy reunions, traveling throughout the country and forming cherished lifelong friendships with many of his shipmates and their families.
Dolores was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Arthur Eugene Underwood; her sons, Matthew Eric Underwood and David Alan Underwood; her parents, Johnnie and Elizabeth Hansen; and her siblings, Kenneth Hansen, Katherine Gamblin, and Barbara Wiebbecke.
She is survived by her children: Karla Kay; Mark William (Eileen); John Arthur (Mary); Ensign Luke (Lisa); Andrew Arthur (Kimberly); Sarajane Louise Wood; Luke William Ray (Paula); Nathaniel Arthur; and Sabrina Sue (Jamie Gamboa); thirteen grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Beverly Durham (Jim); many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were deeply shaped by her love, wisdom, faith, and example.
Though her family deeply mourns her passing, they find comfort in knowing she is at peace in the presence of her Savior and reunited with loved ones who went before her. Her legacy lives on in the generations she raised, the faith she modeled, the family she nurtured, the people she served, and the countless lives she strengthened through her example of devotion, perseverance, and love.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23
A private family burial will take place at Walker Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026, with a public service following at Walker Bible Church, 510 Linn Street, Walker, IA, at 11:00 a.m. A fellowship luncheon will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to Blue Ridge Christian Home, 7034 Catlett Road, Bealeton, VA 22712, or to the American Legion Auxiliary of Walker, Iowa, 214 Green Street, Walker, IA 52352.
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