Dena v. Proehl

Dena V. Proehl, age 91, of Versailles passed away Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at the Good Shepherd Care Center in Versailles with her family by her side.    She was born August 26, 1926, in Pella, Iowa, a daughter of John and Nellie Swan Swank.   Dena was married to Herman Proehl and to this union eight children were born.  In addition to raising her children, Dena worked at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Versailles for many years.  After becoming a Med Tech she traveled throughout the United States working in various care centers.  Her caring spirit led her to be a volunteer for CASA; transporting those in need day or night. She was a woman who reflected her love of God in all that she did; serving others before herself.  She was an adventurer, seeking out caves, abandoned homes and new places throughout the United States to explore.  On her many quests she would come back with pockets full of rocks or old tree stumps, which would make their way to her home to be used as a decoration.  Her creativity knew no bounds and she could find and would seek out the beauty in objects as well as people.  Dena lived life to the fullest, doing everything from climbing a bluff to retrieve that perfect rock to making a recording of “Out on the Prairie,” however; she considered her family to be her greatest blessing in life.     Survivors include six children and their spouses, Katherine and Eldrid Beckmann of Stover; Joanne Proehl of Versailles; Larry Proehl of Quartzsite, Arizona; Gary and Patti Proehl of Versailles; Ronald Proehl of Versailles; and Gailene and Paul Marriott of Mountain View; one sister, Alberta Moore of Ames, Iowa; fourteen grandchildren, thirty-seven great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren, along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  Dena was preceded in death by her parents, her former husband, two children, Robert Proehl and an infant daughter and three brothers, Lloyd, Will and Jim Swank.  In keeping with her wishes she was cremated.  Private services were held on Saturday, December 2, with Rev. Rod Campbell officiating and singing "God Will Take Care of You" and "When They Ring Those Golden Bells For You and Me."  Inurnment was in the West Lawn Addition of the Versailles Cemetery.

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