Dorothy Cecilia Kahl

On August 22nd, 2023, Dorothy Cecelia Kahl, 102, was welcomed into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ. Dorothy was born January 16, 1921, at home on a farm near Newell, Iowa. She was the oldest of seven children born to Ingvard and Molly (Cartensen) Jorgensen. She grew up in the Newell area and graduated from Newell High School in 1939. She attended Iowa State Teacher’s College and graduated with a degree in Primary Education, Cedar Falls, Iowa and later continued her education at Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa. She taught school at Fairview Consolidated, north of Alta, followed by Aurelia and Holstein, Iowa.

Dorothy accepted Christ, followed by baptism, at an early age at First Baptist Church, Newell, Iowa.

On December 28, 1945, she married Eugene Carlton Kahl. After a month of traveling, they returned to life on a farm, north of Holstein. Dorothy was actively involved in her rural Mt. Olive Baptist Church, playing the piano/organ, and teaching children’s church groups. Dorothy was a member of Christian Women’s Club and developed Bible Study groups in her community.

Upon retirement, they made the move to West Des Moines, Iowa. They transferred their membership to the Evangelical Free Church and were active in that fellowship. They also enjoyed many years wintering at their home in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Marigene (Bill) Petersen, Phoenix, Arizona, Susan Kahl, Peoria, Arizona and Deborah (Mark) Johnston, West Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren, Jon (Amanda) Petersen, Chandler, Arizona, Brittany Petersen, Phoenix, Arizona, Kacie (Nate) Meyer, Iowa City, Iowa and Steven (Sarah) Johnston, Phoenix, Arizona; great-grandchildren, Daniel, Brooks and Clara Jo Meyer, Brock, Molly and Dean Petersen and Rosalie, Aubrey and Landon Johnston; sister Ruth Francis, Minneapolis, MN; sisters-in-law, Grace Jorgensen, Storm Lake, Iowa and Ann Jorgensen, Storm Lake, Iowa.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene, 6 year old son, Daniel Jon, brothers, Harold and Arden Jorgensen, brother-in-laws, Rev. Truman Halvorsen, Bob Schesvold and a brother Lowell in infancy, sisters, Verna Halvorsen and Grace Schesvold.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 30th, 2023 from 10:00-11:00 am with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 am at Valley Church, 4343 Fuller Rd., West Des Moines, Iowa.

Burial will be at Good Hope Cemetery, rural Cherokee, Iowa on Thursday, August 31st, 2023 at 11:00 am.

Memorial contributions may be made to Valley Church, Gideons International, or to Hope MIssion, Des Moines, Iowa.