"Howard, Sorry to hear about this. She was a really nice person. It's terrible hard to lose a Mom. Condolences, Bill & Gretchen Johnson"
In loving memory of
Dorothy Kusel
August 27, 1923 - December 18, 2021
Dorothy Clara Mae Kusel was born at home in Aspinwall, Iowa (Crawford County) to Louie and Clara (Eickelkamp) Ehrichs on August 27, 1923. The attending physician was Dr. O.W. Wyatt of Manning. She was baptized on May 30, 1925, by the Reverend John M. Ansorge of Zion Lutheran Church, Manning, and confirmed by him on April 18, 1937. Dorothy attended school through the eighth grade in the two-room Aspinwall Independent schoolhouse and graduated in 1941 from Manning High School. She attended Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, Iowa, during the summer quarters and taught school for three years.
On May 28, 1944, Dorothy and Amos Ray Kusel were married by the Reverend Carl Schmidt at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa. They purchased their farm north of Manning in 1946 where they raised four children. Dorothy joined the rural Homemakers Club. She was also the author of a food column, "Kitchen Korner" featured in 23 Iowa weekly newspapers for over 21 years. In addition, she gave cooking demonstrations and served on the Carroll County Girls' 4-H Committee for 20 years.
After the death of Amos on September 1, 1970, Dorothy was hired on January 1, 1971, by the owners of the Lewis-Reinhold Drug Store, and in April of 1971 she also became the Executive Director and Secretary for the Low Rent Housing Agency of Manning. She then served as a Certified Public Housing Manager and Director for the Terrace and Elm Crest Apartments until December of 1992.
Active in the North Central Iowa Area Agency on Aging (Elderbridge) Dorothy served in official capacities on state, district, county, and local levels. Under her leadership Pioneer Trail Congregate Meals began in Manning on October 18, 1976. In 1981 she represented the aging agency at the White House Conference on Aging in Washington, D.C. and the Iowa Commission on Aging on a good-will trip to China.
As president of Manning Community Services, Inc. (a corporation formed to deliver services to the area elderly) Dorothy helped bring to realization the MCS Red Bus in 1979 and the MCS Senior Center in 1980. She was the volunteer bookkeeper for the Congregate Meal Program for 17 years and for the Red Bus and Senior Center until 1993. She was truly an activist for Senior Citizens, and in 1990 Governor Branstad recognized her for her volunteer work for the elderly.
Active at her church Dorothy served as an organist, choir member, Junior Choir Director, Bible Class teacher, and Director of Music for Vacation Bible School. She was a charter member of the Altar Guild, served as the Dorcas dinner and dining room co-chairman, and recorded communion rolls for 20 years. In 1973 the Manning Rotary Club honored her as the Religious Leader of the Year.
Dorothy was well-known for her musical entertainment activities and her beautiful hats. After retiring, she spent many hours proof reading and researching for her son David's historical/genealogy projects. She also enjoyed her vast library. All of her family members were recipients of her favorite gifts to give...books.
Dorothy passed away at the Manning Regional Healthcare Center on December 18, 2021, at the age of 98 years, 3 months, and 21 days.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Marjorie (in 1925), brothers Gene (wife Patricia) and Glenn (wife Dorothy) Ehrichs, sister Shirley Ann Schramm (husband Walt), and son Barry Ray Kusel (2014).
She is survived by daughter Angela R. Pratt (husband Dan), sons Douglas G. Kusel (wife Joy) and David A. Kusel, daughter-in-law Jean Kusel; grandchildren Nina and Sean Pratt, Brad Kusel (wife Heather--deceased), and Teri Kerkhoff (husband Scott); great-grandchildren Jeremy, Hallie and Laynie Pratt; Erin and Brody Kerkhoff; Ross, Brock and Kora Kusel.
In Loving Memory Of Dorothy Kusel
Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, Manning, Iowa
Reverend Jonathan Conner Officiating
Congregational Hymns "I Know That My Redeemer Lives", "Beautiful Savior", "How Great Thou Art", "The Lord, My Savior and Friend", Angela (Kusel) Pratt, Organist
Casket Bearers are John Detlefsen, Sean Pratt, Jeremy Pratt, Claus Bunz, Dr. Martin Ahrens and Dennis Backhaus
Honorary Casket Bearers are William G. Ohde, Rick Schramm , Ken Puck, Kim Schramm and Dr. Walter Felker. +In Memoriam Bertha Ruhde, Fredda Hinz, Erwin Hansen, Art Rix, Marie Brady, Daryl Genzen, Orval Fink, Orren Ramsey, Billie Voge and Scott Schramm
Interment at Manning Cemetery, Manning, Iowa
Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church in Manning or the Guiding Eyes for the Blind (Yorktown, NY).
Tributes
"So sorry to learn of the loss of your Mother. Dave my deepest sympathies and thoughts and prayers. "
"So sorry to learn of Dorothy?s passing Rejoice in her wonderful long life You are in our thoughts and prayers Mark & Mary Jo Joens"
"Dorothy Kusel raised a wonderful family, that is her legacy. I was proud to have known Doug and Barry. Jerry "Andy" Anderson"
"We are so sorry for the loss of your Mother. Our prayers are with you and all of your families and friends. A sweet memory of ours was when Dorothy and Dave came to Abilene, Texas, with Doug and Joy. We all got together at Martha and Kenneth's house. We enjoyed their visit so much, we hated to see them leave. She was a sweet God fearing lady. She will be deeply missed.
A donation to the Zion Lutheran Church will be made in honor of her memory.
Love, Jerry, Lynn and Katlyn Drummond "
"My sympathy and best wishes to you all. A very talented and hard working lady- your Mother will be missed by her family and the many people she helped. Bill Ohde."
"Deepest Sympathy to Dave, Angie (Dan), and Doug (Joy) and to the grand kids, great grand kids, friends, etc. Your mom will always hold a spot in my heart. She taught me how to bake and reminded me of the "blue ribbons" we won at the state fair last month. She is now reunited with Amos and my parents. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. Love, Mark and Ann "
"Mom & Dorothy we?re very close. Did some traveling together. May she Rest In Peace. Prayers to the family."
"My thoughts and prayers are with you. "