Gaffney, Dolores C. (1920-2012)

GAFFNEY, KESTEL, NEINHAUS, NICHOLAS

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 10/24/2012 at 13:12:04

Dolores C. Gaffney
November 22, 1920 - September 21, 2012

Storm Lake, Iowa

Dolores Gaffney, age 91, of Storm Lake, Iowa, passed away September 21, 2012, at her home of sixty-one years on Vista Drive in Storm Lake.

The first child of Joseph and Kathryn Neinhaus Kestel, Dolores was born on November 22, 1920, on a farm west of Storm Lake.

Dolores began her education in a one room schoolhouse before attending Hayes School beginning in the seventh grade and graduating in 1939. In the summer of 1936 when Dolores was fifteen, her father passed away from lung cancer. Afterward, Dolores and her brothers, Don and Gene, had to help their mom with the farm. They faced many challenges as the depression set in, but the family never went hungry, and they stayed on the farm.

After high school, Dolores attended Grand Island Business College for two years until World War II broke out. Her excellent clerical skills landed her a job in Washington, DC, earning $375 a month as a clerk and typist with the Department of the Navy. In 1943, Dolores returned to Storm Lake where she worked at the courthouse in a clerical position. As the Korean War started, Dolores was put in charge of administration at the local draft board.

Dolores married John Gaffney on November 26, 1951, at St. Mary’s Church in Storm Lake. After their honeymoon, they moved into a house overlooking Storm Lake and lived there for the rest of their lives. A loving wife, Dolores took care of her home and family for over fifty-six years while John ran the Storm Lake Auction Company north of town with his brother, Dick.

John passed away on December 17, 2007, after a brief illness. Dolores’ strong faith, stoic determination, and strong community of friends and family saw her through the difficult days that followed.

Dolores always supported her children and grandchildren when they needed her; she took great pride in their achievements, and they could always count on her for advice.

A life-long member of St. Mary’s Parish in Storm Lake, Dolores’ Catholic Faith played a central role in her life. She loved music and sang in the parish choir for many years and in the Caritas choir until the last few months.

Dolores aged with grace and humor, spending time gardening, cooking, and visiting her children and grandchildren. She loved dining out at the Boathouse, her son Gary’s restaurant, on Lake Avenue in Storm Lake. Dolores often sat in her favorite booth, chatting with the staff, many of whom loved her as their own grandmother.

Dolores lived out her final days at home with the help of Buena Vista Home Care and Hospice. She enjoying sitting on the patio enjoying the lake and the warm sun as she watched people passing by. Surrounded by family, she passed peacefully in her own bed.

Dolores is survived by three children: Gaylen Nicholas, of Austin, Texas, Gary Gaffney, of Storm Lake, and Mark (Debbie) Gaffney, of Boulder, Colorado; her two brothers: Don (Gladys) Kestel and Gene (Doreen) Kestel; and four grandchildren: Clayton Nicholas, Angela, Michelle, and John (aka Jack) Gaffney. She will also be remembered dearly by a long list of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Kathryn Kestel, and her husband, John.

Dolores was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and friend. Though we will miss her terribly, her boundless love will remain with us forever.

Visitation: 5:30-7:30 p.m., September 28, 2012, at Dolores' Home, 15 Vista Drive, Storm Lake, Iowa 50588.
Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m., September 29, 2012, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Vigil Service: 7:30 p.m., September 28, 2012, at Dolores' Home.
Interment: September 29, 2012, at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Storm Lake, Iowa.

Copyright © 2012, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes

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