Dorothy Meng

Dorothy Irene Meng, 90, passed away peacefully at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, IA on Friday, December 8, 2017. A visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m., Sunday, December 17 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory in Urbandale, IA, followed by a rosary service at 3:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 18 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Urbandale. Burial will follow at McDivitt Grove Cemetery in Urbandale. Dorothy was born on January 10, 1927 in Dallas County, parents Anna and Thomas Somsky. She grew up in Granger, IA, attending the Assumption Catholic grade and high schools. She married Philip Anthony Meng, April 25, 1953. She has five children, M. Theresa Schaefer (Kirby), Amana, IA; Anne Meng, Hodges, SC; Patricia Bittner, (Kevin Heinzeroth), Clive, IA; Phyllis Higgins, (Robin), Chandler, AZ; and Michael Meng, (Candace), Wheatridge, CO. Dorothy has nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, 10 siblings and her husband, Philip. A very special granddaughter, Kelly Bittner, (Andrew Maahs), Beaverdale, IA included “Nana” in years of fun with their friends, who were members of the “Nana Fan Club”. Kelly did not leave Nana’s side during her end of life journey, while in Hospice Care at home and in Johnston. Dorothy’s first love was always her family, traveling all over the world to visit everyone. She made children’s books for the grandchildren, and taught them all the family card game, Shanghai. Her talents included creative hand-sewn clothes for her children; knitting and crocheting beautiful tablecloths, bedspreads and clothes; painting in many mediums; and making hundreds of quilts all given to family, friends and shelters throughout Des Moines. Dorothy’s hobbies also included gardening, reading, bird watching, cooking and baking lots of sweets. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mercy Hospice Johnston or St. Pius X Alter & Rosary Society.