Dolores Elizabeth Abels Campbell, 97, passed away peacefully Friday, May 14, 2021, at Independence Village in Waukee while under the care of Sunset Hospice.
Dee was born June 20, 1923, in Des Moines, Iowa to Jule Ernest Gerard and Margaret Clistia (Smith) Gerard. She was born with a birth weight of about 2 pounds, but was a fighter and soon began to thrive.
She graduated Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa in 1941. She went on to attend Drake University, majoring in Business Administration/Broadcast Journalism and earning a Bachelor of Commercial Science degree in 1945.
She was a high school and college majorette, skilled at baton twirling. While attending Drake, she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. In later years, she joined the American Business Women's Association.
After college, Dee worked for KIOA and KRNT radio stations in advertising and wrote jingles for Iowa companies like Hiland Potato Chips. She was employed in state government from 1951 until her retirement in 1988, which included serving as administrative assistant to Chief Clerk of House, and in the Office of Planning and Programing and Economic Development.
Dee was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church for many years.
She volunteered at Living History Farms, hospice organizations, and at the Des Moines Airport.
Her hobbies included league bowling and playing bridge. She learned to golf and square dance after retiring and enjoyed wintering in Mesa, AZ, where she served as the secretary for the HOA Board into her 90s.
She is survived by her son, Leonard G. Abels (Beverly) of Earlham; son, Marcus F. Abels (Julie) of West Des Moines; daughter, Diana M. Ludden (Doug) of Portland; and granddaughter, Christy M. Abels of West Des Moines.
Dee was preceded in death by her husbands, Leonard C. Abels, John Wesley Farmer, and Charles R. Campbell; and by her son, Jule W. Abels.
Dee was laid to rest in a private family committal service at Glendale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Living History Farms in memory of Dee.
Hamilton's Funeral Home
Dee was born June 20, 1923, in Des Moines, Iowa to Jule Ernest Gerard and Margaret Clistia (Smith) Gerard. She was born with a birth weight of about 2 pounds, but was a fighter and soon began to thrive.
She graduated Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa in 1941. She went on to attend Drake University, majoring in Business Administration/Broadcast Journalism and earning a Bachelor of Commercial Science degree in 1945.
She was a high school and college majorette, skilled at baton twirling. While attending Drake, she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. In later years, she joined the American Business Women's Association.
After college, Dee worked for KIOA and KRNT radio stations in advertising and wrote jingles for Iowa companies like Hiland Potato Chips. She was employed in state government from 1951 until her retirement in 1988, which included serving as administrative assistant to Chief Clerk of House, and in the Office of Planning and Programing and Economic Development.
Dee was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church for many years.
She volunteered at Living History Farms, hospice organizations, and at the Des Moines Airport.
Her hobbies included league bowling and playing bridge. She learned to golf and square dance after retiring and enjoyed wintering in Mesa, AZ, where she served as the secretary for the HOA Board into her 90s.
She is survived by her son, Leonard G. Abels (Beverly) of Earlham; son, Marcus F. Abels (Julie) of West Des Moines; daughter, Diana M. Ludden (Doug) of Portland; and granddaughter, Christy M. Abels of West Des Moines.
Dee was preceded in death by her husbands, Leonard C. Abels, John Wesley Farmer, and Charles R. Campbell; and by her son, Jule W. Abels.
Dee was laid to rest in a private family committal service at Glendale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Living History Farms in memory of Dee.
Hamilton's Funeral Home
Dolores Elizabeth Abels Campbell, 97, passed away peacefully Friday, May 14, 2021, at Independence Village in Waukee while under the care of Sunset Hospice.
Dee was born June 20, 1923, in Des Moines, Iowa to Jule Ernest Gerard and Margaret Clistia (Smith) Gerard. She was born with a birth weight of about 2 pounds, but was a fighter and soon began to thrive.
She graduated Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa in 1941. She went on to attend Drake University, majoring in Business Administration/Broadcast Journalism and earning a Bachelor of Commercial Science degree in 1945.
She was a high school and college majorette, skilled at baton twirling. While attending Drake, she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. In later years, she joined the American Business Women's Association.
After college, Dee worked for KIOA and KRNT radio stations in advertising and wrote jingles for Iowa companies like Hiland Potato Chips. She was employed in state government from 1951 until her retirement in 1988, which included serving as administrative assistant to Chief Clerk of House, and in the Office of Planning and Programing and Economic Development.
Dee was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church for many years.
She volunteered at Living History Farms, hospice organizations, and at the Des Moines Airport.
Her hobbies included league bowling and playing bridge. She learned to golf and square dance after retiring and enjoyed wintering in Mesa, AZ, where she served as the secretary for the HOA Board into her 90s.
She is survived by her son, Leonard G. Abels (Beverly) of Earlham; son, Marcus F. Abels (Julie) of West Des Moines; daughter, Diana M. Ludden (Doug) of Portland; and granddaughter, Christy M. Abels of West Des Moines.
Dee was preceded in death by her husbands, Leonard C. Abels, John Wesley Farmer, and Charles R. Campbell; and by her son, Jule W. Abels.
Dee was laid to rest in a private family committal service at Glendale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Living History Farms in memory of Dee.
Hamilton's Funeral Home
Dee was born June 20, 1923, in Des Moines, Iowa to Jule Ernest Gerard and Margaret Clistia (Smith) Gerard. She was born with a birth weight of about 2 pounds, but was a fighter and soon began to thrive.
She graduated Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa in 1941. She went on to attend Drake University, majoring in Business Administration/Broadcast Journalism and earning a Bachelor of Commercial Science degree in 1945.
She was a high school and college majorette, skilled at baton twirling. While attending Drake, she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. In later years, she joined the American Business Women's Association.
After college, Dee worked for KIOA and KRNT radio stations in advertising and wrote jingles for Iowa companies like Hiland Potato Chips. She was employed in state government from 1951 until her retirement in 1988, which included serving as administrative assistant to Chief Clerk of House, and in the Office of Planning and Programing and Economic Development.
Dee was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church for many years.
She volunteered at Living History Farms, hospice organizations, and at the Des Moines Airport.
Her hobbies included league bowling and playing bridge. She learned to golf and square dance after retiring and enjoyed wintering in Mesa, AZ, where she served as the secretary for the HOA Board into her 90s.
She is survived by her son, Leonard G. Abels (Beverly) of Earlham; son, Marcus F. Abels (Julie) of West Des Moines; daughter, Diana M. Ludden (Doug) of Portland; and granddaughter, Christy M. Abels of West Des Moines.
Dee was preceded in death by her husbands, Leonard C. Abels, John Wesley Farmer, and Charles R. Campbell; and by her son, Jule W. Abels.
Dee was laid to rest in a private family committal service at Glendale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Living History Farms in memory of Dee.
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