Dorothy E. (Russell) Bales

August 08, 2019

Service Details

Dorothy Ellen (Russell) Bales was born May 15, 1937 in Afton, Iowa to Willis and Maisel (Perkins) Russell. She lived most of her life in Des Moines. She worked for over 20 years at AMF Western Tool and then worked as a Dietician for Mercy Hospital for 25 years. Dorothy’s passion in life was her family. She was a great mother and lived for her children and grandchildren. She liked getting her hair done, selling Avon products, and enjoyed cats. But above all, time with her family was most important and she especially loved having coffee with her sisters. She will be remembered as a wonderful cook, hardworking, and a very kind and caring person.

Dorothy passed away peacefully at Parkridge Nursing and Rehab in Pleasant Hill on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at the age of 82.

She is survived by her children, Brian Bales (Becky), Janice Easley (John), Blake Bales, Willis Bales (Melinda), and Shane Bales (Charity); siblings, Betty Clifton (Robert) – New Mexico, Evelyn Russell - Ankeny, Virginia Hartley (Walter) - Urbandale, Linda Sheeks (Jerry) – Ankeny, Louise Clifton - Ankeny, and Tom Simonds - Indiana; sister-in-law, Carol Russel – Fort Dodge; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sherry Bales; parents, Willis and Maisel Russell; siblings, Raymond Russell, Inez Cummins, and Frances Feige; son-in-law, Joe Easley; and brothers-in-law, Richard Cummins, Paul Feige, Dick Clifton, and Dave Kessler; and step-mother, Norma Russell.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 11, 2019 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 12, also at Hamilton’s, and will conclude with burial at Altoona Cemetery. Immediately following the burial, there will be a reception at the Altoona HyVee, 108 8th Street SW, Altoona, in their upstairs community room.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made directly to the family in loving memory of Dorothy.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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