Doris Mae Dickel

Doris Mae Caulkins Dickel died on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at the Madrid Home in Madrid, Iowa. Services will be held at Collins Christian Church in Collins, Iowa, on Friday, April 27 at 10:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Collins.

Doris was born on October 24, 1930 in Beech, Iowa to Oce and Catherine (Mott) Caulkins. She grew up on a farm outside Pleasantville and moved with her family to Collins when she was in the eighth grade. Her first friend in her new school was Darlene Haley Evans who graduated with her in the class of 1948. They remained lifelong friends and enjoyed monthly gatherings for years with their classmates, known as the 48 Club. Doris enjoyed playing cards and was a member of the Ki-Lo Bridge Club for over 50 years. She was active in her church, in Eastern Star, and in her community. Doris was instrumental in the success of the Collins Betterment Association which won the Governor’s Award for community improvement.

Doris was proud of her career as a teller and cashier at the Exchange State Bank in Collins and continued her work in banking and bookkeeping when she lived with her husband Al in California and Texas. Toward the end of her life, Doris suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and lived the last year of her life at the Madrid Home under the excellent care of the staff there.

She is survived by her children, Vicki Keagle of Urbandale, Mike Mullihan of Baxter, Peggy Evans and husband John of Collins, and Nancy Hermanson and husband Roger of Story City; nine grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Pat Caulkins of Collins; and eight nieces and nephews.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents; her spouse, Albert Dickel; her former spouse, Barney Mullihan; daughter-in-law, Cathy Mullihan; brother and sister-in-law, Darel and Wilma Caulkins; brother, Benny Caulkins; sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Curly Eason; and niece Genie Eason.

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