"Always enjoyed my conversations and time with Dorothy and Ted. Certainly our prayers are with those two and the family. Mark Allen "
In loving memory of
Dorothy Gabelmann
January 30, 1925 - February 7, 2019
Dorothy Gabelmann, age 94 of Prairie City, passed away on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at Trinity Center at Luther Park in Des Moines. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association and condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com
The daughter of Neal and Gertrude (Klyn) Dikkenberg, Dorothy was born on January 30, 1925 near Prairie City. She graduated from Prairie City High School with the class of 1942. On May 29, 1947, she was united in marriage to Theodore J. Gabelmann at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City. They were married for over 71 years. Over her life, she was employed by Dick's Produce, Cross Jewelry, the Monroe Table Company and the Boy Scouts of America. Dorothy retired from B.S.A. in 1990. Her and Ted enjoyed many years wintering in Arizona. She enjoyed camping traveling with the Wooden Shoe and the Good Sam Club. She also enjoyed crocheting and knitting, teaching many classes and sewing. She has left a legacy of making teddy bears for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Those left to honor her memory include her daughter Jean (Jim) Walker of Prairie City; grandchildren, Angela Aalbers of Craig, Colorado, Lauree (Frank) Brown of Savanna, Illinois, Michael (Leah) Wilson and their children, Caleb, Megan, and Colton, David (Alicia) Wilson and their son Gage all of Prairie City; step grandchildren, Mary Ellen (Troy) Draeger and their children, Dalton and Mallory of Webster City, John (Kari) Walker and their children, Payton and Finley of Des Moines and Beth (Todd) McFall of Des Moines as well as many niece and nephews including her sister's children, Chuck (Sylvia) Terlouw of West Des Moines and Kathy (Dale) Deur of Pella. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, Ted; daughter, Carolyn; a sister and brother-in-law, Nellie (Gerald) Terlouw.
Tributes
"Dorothy was very talented and patient - she was my 4-H leader for several years and shared with me the basics of knitting for county fair projects. She was a wonderful homemaker for her husband and family. I will always remember the family holidays we had together at Grandma Gabelmann's house.
God be with you and share in the loss of a wonderful Aunt. Karen & Gene Steenhoek "
"My husband George (passed in 2015) and I enjoyed many years of friendship with Ted and Dorothy. I'm sad to hear of her passing, but glad that she's at peace. My favorite memory of Dorothy was her beautiful handiwork, her quilting and crocheting, and her bears brought a lot of joy to many people. Love and prayers to Jean and the rest of the family. Carol Van Zee and family"