Marengo Flower Shops

Marengo IA News

Dec 30, 2015

Della Welsh, 97

In 1958, Della was married to Larry Kimball, with whom she had her seventh child, Lee Kimball.  The couple lived in Victor and Della worked at Marengo Hospital as a nurse’s aide.  After that marriage ended, Della was married to Melvin Healy in 1965, taking on the role of stepmother for his six children.   In 1967 she started driving a school bus for the physically and mentally handicapped.  Then in 1969 she continued driving the school bus, but was also a matron for the severe and profoundly handicapped at the school in Conroy, IA.  After that marriage ended, Della was married to Bill Welsh in 1980 and the couple lived in Grinnell, where Bill operated an antique store.  They enjoyed traveling, especially to Arizona, and fishing in Minnesota.  Della was devoted to helping those in need.  She cared for those who were elderly and lived alone.  She especially enjoyed working with Ann Cunningham and Cleo Morrison.  She was a member of St. Bridget Catholic Church in Victor and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell.  Christmas was her favorite holiday and she made the best holiday candy, especially divinity.  Her enjoyments included crafts and sewing, gardening, and helping others.     Della is survived by her children, Shirley Swails of Cedar Rapids, IA, Richard (Barb Wille) DeNeve of Victor, Sandra (Dick) Burritt of Upland, NE, Edward (Bev) DeNeve of Victor, Mary (Terry) Starry of Solon, IA, Linda (Gary) Beyer of Grinnell, and Lee Kimball of Victor; 20 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; and 13 great great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; and her grandson, Russ DeNeve.   Read or Share this story: http://dmreg.co/1OsqdDi ... (DesMoinesRegister.com)

Dec 30, 2015

Dolores Dravis, Whitewater, WI

Dolores “Baby” was born in Chicago, IL on March 1st, 1926, the daughter of Victoria and Stanley Kozial. She married Wally Dravis in Marengo, IL and they were blessed with six children: Susan (Bill) Gnatzig of River Falls, Dorina (John) Weigelt of Elm Grove, Louise (Joe) Thompson of Rockford, IL, Carl (Angie) Dravis of McHenry, IL, Rhonda (Rick) Demos of Janesville, Patti Dravis-Medina of Milton, and one foster daughter (Little) Patty (Derrick) Hoffman of Indiana. Her children blessed Dolores with 16 grand children: Kari (Michael) Listenbee, Jim (Denise) Benages, Krista (Rob) Payne, J.C. (Lindsay) Weigelt, Coby Weigelt, Sheena Dravis, Casey Demos, Shelly Dravis, Sharon Dravis, Kevin Dravis, Shelby Demos, Paige Demos, Joey Medina, Adam Medina, Derdre Hoffman, and Michael Hoffman. They in turn blessed Dolores with 7 great grand children: Jordan Listenbee, Amara Listenbee, Jimmy Benages Jr., Kacey Payne, Cameron Payne, Bennett Weigelt, and Finley Weigelt. Dolores and Wally started their marriage in Union, IL, subsequently moving to Harvard, IL. In 1962 they purchased the Teetshorn farm on Walworth Ave in Whitewater and quickly learned how to combine city and farm life. Dolores took a job at the Duck Inn where customers were drawn to her efficiency and sparkling personality. In later years she used those same qualities to teach and mentor special needs adults at Vocational Industries in Elkhorn. She later took a job ... (Gazettextra)