Dorene Hanlon

Dorene Hanlon, 78, of Waukee (formerly of Adel) passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, October 20, 2018 after a brief battle with lymphoma. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 24th from 4-7 pm at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home – McCalley Chapel in Adel with Rosary beginning at 6:30pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 25th at 10 am at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee. Burial to be held at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry following the funeral service and luncheon. Dorene was born June 20, 1940 to Frank and Marie (Kastner) Hirschberg, the oldest of four daughters. She grew up on their farm near Bayard, Iowa. She knew the meaning of hardwork as the daughter of farmers and always kept herself busy with various chores, tasks, and schoolwork. Dorene attended Drake University following high school. The first time she met her future husband, Dr. Donald Hanlon, was rather eventful as a minor accident required a visit to the new, young doctor in Bayard. After a brief courtship, Donald and Dorene were married and relocated to Adel, where they lovingly raised their six daughters and she excelled as a homemaker. Dorene’s greatest joy and priority was her family. She was exceedingly proud of her daughters, sons-in-laws, and grandchildren, rarely missing a chance to celebrate them by attending school activities, sporting events, recitals, and family gatherings. She will forever be remembered for her smile, kindness, gardens, ‘grandma recipes’, and loving nature. Left to cherish Dorene’s memory are her husband, Donald Hanlon; six daughters, Renee (Bill) Spratt of Elkhart, Michele Hanlon of Des Moines, Lisa (Mark) Mickelson of Waukee, Christine (Dean) Tranel of Madrid, Bridget (George) Jaegers of Grimes, and Andrea (Matt) Patitz of Fayetteville, Arkansas; nine grandchildren, Kylie, Emily, and Hailey Mickelson, Elizabeth Tranel, Collin Spratt, Josie and Vivi Patitz, and Kelsey and Ian Jaegers; two sisters, Carolyn Chambers of Ankeny and Karen Howe of Fort Edward, New York; and countless loving aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Diane Hirschberg. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Miracle Travel Works, Inc. or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Iowa Chapter. Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com. Arrangements are being handled by Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home – McCalley Chapel in Adel.