Delores “Dee” Meadows, 80, of Oskaloosa, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2023, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa.
Delores Jean Meadows, daughter of Garret J. and Jozena “Josie” (De Geus) Dieleman, was born February 14, 1943, near Monroe, IA. As a young child, she lived on a farm near Pella; while she was still quite young, the family moved to Oskaloosa, where she attended Oskaloosa Christian School. While in eighth grade, her family returned to Pella, where she finished her education, graduating in 1961 from Pella Christian High School. Dee continued her education at Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Food & Nutrition in 1965. While in college, Dee met the love of her life, Gary J. Meadows. They were married on May 29, 1964, in Pella, Iowa, and spent the first year of life together in Pammell Court in Ames. Gary’s first job took them to Atkins, IA, for a year; then, in 1966, he enlisted in the Army. His position took them to New Jersey, Georgia, and Kansas. In 1969, Gary was discharged from the Army when he accepted a position with Monsanto. His job as district sales manager took them to Garner, IA, St. Louis, MO, Decatur, IL, and Des Moines, IA. While they lived in Des Moines, Dee worked as a Dietary Supervisor at Calvin Community Retirement Center. Dee and Gary moved to Maquoketa, IA, in 1995, and in 1997 they moved to Oskaloosa. Dee was a Central Church member, a Bible Leader for Faith Circle, and led the Oasis Group. She served as an organist for over 65 years in the churches she attended. She was also a member of the Oskaloosa Women’s Club, Mahaska County Family and Consumer Science Club, and a Bridge and Pitch group. She enjoyed bowling and was an ISU Cyclones sports and St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Dee’s family includes a son, Lyle J. Meadows, and grandson, Jesse J. Meadows of Iowa City; and a daughter and son-in-law, Leanne J. & Edward Rahe and grandson, Erik A. Rahe of St. Louis, MO; her siblings: Bill Dieleman of Bella Vista, AR; Reuvena Bruxvoort of Oskaloosa; and Robert (Florence) Dieleman of Pella, IA; and sisters-in-law, Karen Mefferd and Karol Hast, both of Denison, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents and parents-in-law, Lyle and Frances Meadows; her husband, Gary, on September 17, 2010; her brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Marlene Dieleman; sister-in-law, Emily Dieleman; brother-in-law, Stan Bruxvoort; brothers-in-law: Roger Mefferd and John Hast.
Funeral services for Dee will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Central Church in Oskaloosa, with Pastor Jon Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery near Pella. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Monday, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will greet visitors from 4-7 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to Bible League International or Mahaska Health Foundation for the Hospice Serenity House. Watch Dee’s service at https://livestream.com/centralchurch at service time or at your convenience.
