Dorothy Eileen Mingst Pingel, age 96 of Lowden, passed away on January 15, 2023 at Unity Point St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Funeral services will be held at Chapman Funeral Home on Saturday January 21 at 10:30 AM with Pastor Scott Meyer officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 until service time. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery.

Dorothy Eileen (Mingst) Pingel was born June 28, 1926 the second child of William Andres Mingst and his wife Edna Clara Boettcher Mingst, at the family home a mile and a quarter south of Clarence, Iowa in Dayton Township of Cedar County, Iowa. The family included an elder brother Roland William Mingst and a younger sister Kathryn Julia Mingst.

On May 11, 1947, Dorothy and Luverne Arnold Pingel were married at St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church in Clarence, Iowa. The Rev. F.J. Mittler performed the ceremony and Kathryn Mingst and Merle Pingel served as attendants.

They made their first home in Wheatland in a house that was converted from a rural one room schoolhouse. In 1949 they started farming in Liberty Twp. of Clinton County, Iowa. In 1959 they bought a 140 acre farm in Massillon Twp. of Cedar County, Iowa. They farmed and lived there until July of 1990 when they moved into Lowden. In October of 1987 they bought a property and house at 5th and McKinley Ave. They tore the house down and had a new brick house built in its place. Luverne and Dorothy raised their children, Stephen Ray, Rebecca Sue and Gregory Lee in their country homes. The children were baptized at St. John's Church in Clarence, confirmed at Zion U.C.C. in Lowden, and graduated from Lowden High School.

Luverne and Dorothy joined the Zion U.C.C. of Lowden, and as a member of The Evening Circle she served several offices.

Also as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary she served several offices including President and Leader for the Junior Auxiliary, and also represented the unit and served as County President. Away from home Dorothy worked 20 years at the Truck Stop at Lowden, retiring in 1996.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband Luverne; a grandson Chad; a granddaughter Elizabeth; and her brother Roland.

Survivors are Dorothy's three children Steve (Linda) in North Carolina, Rebecca (Bill) Race in Hawaii and Gregory (Denise) in Ely, Iowa. She also leaves behind eleven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and her sister Kathryn.

Memorials may be sent to Camp Courageous or Zion United Church of Christ in memory of Dorothy.

Dorothy's family would like to thank the Clarence Nursing home staff for the care she received while there.