Dorothy Gabelmann

Dorothy Gabelmann, 94 of Prairie City, died Thursday, Feb. 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 coburnfuneralhomes.com.

The daughter of Neal and Gertrude (Klyn) Dikkenberg, Dorothy was born Jan. 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 more than 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. She 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, Colo., Lauree (Frank) Brown of Savanna, Ill., 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.

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