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Dolores A. Stall

September 23, 1929 - December 25, 2022

Heaven received a “Special Christmas Angel” when Dolores Ann (Nelson) Stall, 93, passed away at Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Specialty Care Center in Urbandale, IA, on Sunday, December 25, 2022.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church (510 E. 1^st St., Ankeny, IA). Visitation will be from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and a Rosary at 9:30 a.m. prior to Mass. Burial will take place immediately following the Mass at Ankeny Memorial Gardens. Mass will be livestreamed at www.OLIH.org Click on mass-livestream, funerals.

Dolores was born in Kansas City, Kansas on September 23, 1929. She was the daughter of Bart and Lilly (Benson) Nelson. Dolores was the fourth of six kids and the only girl. The family moved to Des Moines in 1936. Dolores attended St. John’s Catholic School and went on to graduate from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1947. She then attended Drake University for two years. Dolores was the bookkeeper for her dad’s business, Bart Nelson Sheep Company for many years. Dolores suffered from polio at a young age, but that did not stop her from living life to the fullest.

Dolores married Dale Stall of Ankeny in 1955 and moved to the farm north of Ankeny, where they lived and worked for 61 years. Dolores and Dale were founding members of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny. In addition to working on the farm and raising three kids, Dolores was a very creative and talented seamstress. She could create the most amazing pieces out of anything. Dolores’ talents didn’t stop with sewing, she designed and created ceramic and porcelain pieces, decorated cakes, decorated the church for all occasions, and made baked goods for farmer’s markets (where Dale sold sweet corn). She was also a 4-H leader, and served on the Polk County Fair Board and several committees at church. Dolores could never pass up an antique or garage sale to seek out a unique piece of furniture or decorator item. In 1980, Dolores opened Andall’s Bridal Service in Ankeny and operated it for 32 years. With Andall’s (a combination of Dolores and Dale’s names) she made custom wedding gowns, created flower bouquets and arrangements, catered, rented tuxedos, did alterations and helped make thousands of weddings perfect! Dolores enjoyed having her hair and nails done on a weekly basis, always the “Classy Lady”, even to the end.

Dolores valued her faith and family above everything. Dolores is survived by her children, Beckie (Bruce) Grenier, Nelson (Jeannie) Stall, and Eric (Suet Ling Chong) Stall; grandchildren, Maggie (Grenier) Gonnering and Jeff (Rachel) Grenier; great-grandchildren, Ella Gonnering, Jax Gonnering, Amelia Grenier, and Evelyn Grenier; brother, RW Nelson’ sisters-in-law, Mary Nelson and Beverly Allen; brother-in-law, Jerry Allen; and many nieces and nephews. Dolores was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Stall; grandson, Nicholas Stall; parents; brothers, BJ Nelson, Don Nelson, Tom Nelson, and Dan Nelson.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a memorial in Dolores’ memory to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, St. Vincent De Paul of Des Moines, or Catholic Daughter’s at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church.

The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to the staff at Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Specialty Care Center for their kindness and thoughtful care of Dolores.

Dolores’ favorite snacks were M&M’s and Pepsi. Heaven better have a large supply of both!!