Biography

Isabel Greenberg Alt was born on October 17, 1917 in Algona, Iowa. She graduated from Algona High School in 1935 and attended the University of Iowa where she studied speech, drama and music and was active in Sigma Delta Tau, a Jewish sorority. Upon graduation in 1939, she moved to New York City to pursue work in theater and radio. There she lived in a boarding house with Jewish girls from the theater and found several small jobs. Alt returned home to Iowa just a few months later to assist her family when her father was seriously injured. In January 1940, she joined KVFD, a new radio station in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where she was heard on air as “Dorothy Dodge.” She married Don Alt in 1941 and the two worked together at KVFD and WMT radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

When WWII broke out Don became a U.S. Army officer, and Isabel moved back to Algona to live with her parents. Between 1944 and 1946, Alt was active in the Algona Prisoner of War Camp United Services Organization (USO) performing for the troops stationed at the POW Camp.

The Alt’s moved to West Des Moines where Isabel raised three children, Marilyn, Sara, and James. Alt served on boards and committees for the Des Moines Hearing and Speech Center, Hawkeye Council of Camp Fire Girls, Des Moines Community Playhouse. In 1966, she worked as community relations director for the Polk County Society for Crippled Children and Adults. She worked closely with her husband during his time as Republican Representative in the Iowa State Legislature from 1969 to 1971. Alt finished her career as executive director for the Des Moines Hearing and Speech Center, retiring in 1982 and died in 1983.

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