Dorothy M. Gaul

Dorothy Marie Gaul, daughter of Gilbert and Lidwina (Eisterhold) Rau, was born January 20, 1925 in Westphalia, Iowa, the oldest of 15 children. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia. She attended school in Westphalia, IA. On December 28, 1943, Dorothy was united in marriage to Ferdinand Gaul at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, IA. To this union, 13 children were born. She worked as a telephone operator for a time, and spent 36 years working the night shift at the Little Flower Haven as a nurse-aide.

So many things we loved about Dorothy. She sang funny songs to the little ones: Hello Dolly, Mairzey-Doats and Hey Joe. She might mix up a batch of play dough, cocoa, pudding or chocolate popcorn; All you had to do was ask! And the way she flipped those big, flat crepe-like pancakes, quick as you please, and kept them coming until everyone had their fill. Don’t ask for the recipe though. You won’t get a straight answer. We loved her garden full of vegetables, warm in the sun, that fed us all year long, and the larkspurs, bachelor buttons, four o’clocks and hollyhocks all for the picking. We cherish the time around Dorothy’s kitchen table drinking chai and coffee, talking, visiting, laughing. making cookies, or maybe egg rolls together, watching the birds at the feeders through the windows…What a comforting place. Anyone might stop by and everyone was welcome. Oh what a pleasant day it was to sit on the deck and listen to the breeze in the pine tree, watch a train roll by, or maybe tidy up a flower garden or two. We loved the matter-of-fact way she parented and grand-parented and great-grand-parented. She held each baby with ease and simplicity; such a no-nonsense style and grace about her. Everyone mattered, everyone counted. We treasured the way she and Dad cooked spaghetti at the stove together, made that big garden together, grew this family together, and communicated love without saying much at all. She gave us the gift of rock solid faith. She taught us about intuitive mutual respect by her steadfast, unspoken love. Her enjoyment of the simple things was catching, and we all wanted a chance to soak up some of that time with her. Even 94 years wasn’t enough. How very lucky we all are to have been touched by the life of this beautiful woman.

Dorothy passed peacefully into heaven surrounded by family on June 15, 2019 at Elm Crest Retirement Center, Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of ninety four years, four months, and 26 days. In addition to her parents, She was preceded in death by her husband Ferdinand; son Daniel; great granddaughter Ellery Bieker; siblings: Marie “Mamie” Grote, Mike Rau, Zita Bruck, Alma Bissen, Leonard Rau, Jeanette Mikels and Sr. Lita Rau.

Those left behind to cherish her memory include her children: Shirley (Franklin) Hauck, Omaha, NE; Jean (Dan) Bieker, Harlan; Ron (Paula) Gaul, Harlan; Larry (Maxine) Gaul, Omaha, NE; Carol (Jeff) Walton, Harlan; Joan Gaul (Ken Dempsey), Harlan; Laurie Gilbert (Randy Blohm), Audubon; Walter Gaul, Harlan; Daughter-In-Law Debbie Gaul-Rusch, Dow City, IA; Marian Greer-Stokes, Harlan; Lisa Fox (Brooke Coseboom), Allen, TX; Janis (Tim) Thompson, Omaha, NE; David (Angie) Gaul, Chillicothe, OH; 50 grandchildren; 92 great grandchildren; 9 great, great grandchildren; Siblings: Leo (Jane) Rau, Omaha, NE; Martha (Paul) Bissen, Harlan, IA; Verla Mumm, Earling, IA; Mervin (Nels) Nelson, Kerrville, TX; Patricia Kuether, Pierce, NE; Gilbert Jr. (Mary Ann) Rau, Lander, WY, and Judy (Richard) Jones, Omaha; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many, many dear friends.