Minnie "Mikki" Whitlock

On Wednesday, May 31, 2017 Minnie "Mikki" Irene Whitlock went home to be with the Lord. She had Jesus in her heart, and love and forgiveness in her soul. Services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2017 in the Chapel of Peace Mausoleum at North Lawn Cemetery. Mikki is survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, sobriety and Alanon members as well as sponsors, sponsoree's, friends and neighbors. Minnie Irene Van Hoff was born on February 6, 1925 in Lizard Township, Pocahontas County to August an Elsena (Collmann) Van Hoff. She attended Boyd #4 Country School in rural Manson. In the 60's Minnie married Ralph E. Whitlock of Humboldt and they made their home in Gowrie. Mikki then started her own domestic cleaning and childcare business. Minnie loved to raise flowers, gourds and domestic rabbits. She had a large garden and enjoyed sharing it with people. After Minnie and Ralph divorced in the early 70's, Minnie moved to Fort Dodge where she made her home. She loved to be creative with he own ideas of decorating, making crafts and fancy May baskets. She enjoyed cooking for others and would often share with neighbors, relatives and friends. Her kindness came from a lesson her grandmother, Minnie (Tjaden) Collmann, taught her. "A gift of living, is a gift of giving" and vice versa. On July 22, 1984, Minnie became a member of the spiritual Alcoholics Anonymous program. In 1986, she became a member of the Central Neighborhood Betterment Group and remained a member for 15 years. Minnie received the Governor's (Terry Branstad) Leadership Award for 1989, 1991, and 1996, for outstanding volunteer work. In April 1984, Minnie started a wig campaign to donate wigs to cancer patients at Iowa City University Hospital and the American Cancer Society. She collected wigs and caps for "Look Better, Feel Better". In 2000 and 2001, Minnie helped Greater Iowa Chapter Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk as a team leader for the Friendship Haven Adult Day Services Team. Mikki was preceded in death by her daughter, Sadona Rene Van Hoff; her parents, August and Elsena Harminia (Collmann) Van Hoff; sisters, Louise Kelley and Ella Gerdes; brothers Clarence Van Hoff and wife Faye; Carl and wife Mildred; Harris and wife Mary Louise; Dorance and wife Clara; and Lloyd and his wife, Agnes Mae. Lori Kass was like a granddaughter to Mikki. Lori always sent Mikki grandmother and other special cards. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to be handled by to the best of their discretion.