Dorothy Peak

Dorothy Marie Peak, the daughter of James J. and Vlasta Hlava (Blazek) Kralik, was born on April 1, 1914 near Nevinville in Adams County, Iowa. Dorothy entered eternal rest on October 13, 2014 at her home in Creston, Iowa at the age of one hundred years, six months, and twelve days.
Dorothy graduated from Nevinville Consolidated School in 1932. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in the mid-1930’s, with additional college credits from the University of Iowa, Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) and Kansas University. Her first teaching position after graduation was teaching in Nevinville. She later taught in Bridgewater and Calmar (near Decorah) before accepting the home economics teaching position in the Creston School District in 1940.
On September 16, 1941, Dorothy married Edward L. Peak at the Holy Spirit Rectory in Creston, Iowa. This union was blessed with one son, James.
Dorothy was a Home Economics Teacher at Creston High School for almost forty years. She retired in 1978. In her teaching career, Dorothy is probably most remembered for instituting a new course of study into the CHS curriculum called “Bachelor Living.” After retirement, Dorothy was one of the first people involved in organizing Green Valley Hospice and she continued to help with fundraisers and telephone calls over the years.
Dorothy was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church; the Catholic Council of Women; P.E.O; NEA; and NHEA. She volunteered for the Green Valley Hospice and Greater Regional Hospital Auxiliary. Dorothy was inducted into the Creston High School Hall of Fame in 2006.
Left to cherish Dorothy’s memory is her nephew: Larry Kralik and Leola Kralik and family of Creston; her nieces: Linda (Dean) Westergaard and family of Adel; and Jane (Steve) Knutsen of West Des Moines; two cousins; and other relatives and friends.
Preceding Dorothy in death were her husband, Edward; her son, James; her brother, Roy Kralik; her sister-in-law, Velma Kralik; and her nephew, Jerry Kralik.