Dorothy M Fall of Des Moines, Iowa passed away on October 4,2024, at Wesley on Grand surrounded by loved ones. Dorothy was 101 years old. Services will be on Wednesday, October 16th at McLaren's Resthaven Chapel. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. at McLaren's Resthaven Chapel followed by a celebration of life at 2 p.m. Burial will take place at Resthaven Cemetery.
Dorothy was born May 24,1923 in Volga, Iowa to Arthur and Gertrude Chappell. Dorothy was youngest of four and only a year old when mother passed away, Henry and Bertha Parkinson, friends of Arthur, helped care for and later adopted Dorothy.
She grew up a farm girl in the Greeley Iowa area. Attending one room country school before graduating from Greeley High School in 1940. With a Two-year associate degree from Upper Iowa University, she started her teaching career at age 19. She taught at Bristow, Marshalltown and Des Moines Public Schools.
While at Upper Iowa Dorothy met Gary Fall on groundhogs' day a blind date arranged by friends. Their courtship was interrupted by WW2. After the war they were married at the Little Brown Church in the Vale on July 20, 1946.
Settling in Des Moines she stayed active with substitute teaching, teaching preschool at Busy Bee and tutoring special needs adults. She loved books and shared that joy by delivering books to homebound readers. In 1974 Gary and Dorothy made their first trip across the pond. At last meeting English relatives to whom she had corresponded with for years, This was the beginning of many travel adventures along with yearly family vacations to Leech Lake Walker, Mn. This was a 60-year tradition. She was a big fan of Grandkids sporting events and activities, At 100 she attended her great-granddaughters volleyball tournament. She loved watching the Hawkeyes; however, her true love was on the North side of Chicago. "Wrigley Field" Starting in 1935 with Gabby Hartnett, to Mr. Cub Ernie Banks and then 2016 and Rizzo. She was a loyal Cub Fan and got her first World Series at age 93.
Her survivors include her children, Gary Fall and Cheryl Creed; grandchildren, Ryan Daniel and Keri Fall; great-grandchildren, Zach, Alex, Jake, Isla; and many nieces and nephews, She was preceded in death by husband, Garold; son-in-law, Steve Creed; brother, George; and sisters, Marie and Bernice.
The family Thanks Wesley Life for the loving care and friendship. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
"See ya later alligator"
