Della Kenkel

Della, age 96, of Johnston, IA, passed away September 3, 2025.   Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for a Celebration of Life on Friday, September 5 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5:30 reception and dinner, 8600 Northpark Drive, Urbandale, IA.  Funeral mass will be at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance, IA, on Saturday, September 6, at 11:00.  Interment is at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Defiance following the service.  Guests are invited to join the family for lunch in the Church Hall.

Della was born to Magdalena (Schneider) and Quirin Goeser on a farm near Westphalia, in Shelby County in 1929, the eighth of ten children.  The family moved to a farm in Crawford County before she started school.  She attended Dow City schools, graduating in 1948. When a Catholic church was built in Dow City, Della played the little army organ for services and joined the choir, which was a dream come true for her.  She entered Iowa State Teachers College the following summer.  Della taught school during the year and took classes in the summer, earning her Associate’s Degree.  She taught in a rural school the first year, then in Arion and Manilla, IA. 

Della married Clarence (Joe) Kenkel in 1955 and they lived and farmed just north of Defiance, IA.  They raised seven children, were active in St. Peter’s Parish, and Defiance-Westphalia and Harlan schools.  Della was a life-long volunteer. She was a den mother and 4-H leader, president of the Rosary Society and a member of various church committees, parish council, regional pastoral council, church quilting group, and Shelby County Cowbelles.  Della became active with the St. Mary’s of Nazareth Parish when she and Joe moved to Johnston, as well as volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul.

Della will be remembered for her kindness, generosity of spirit, and willingness to give of herself to others. She was dedicated to her family, her community, and her faith. She applied her artistic talent to music, sewing, quilting, flower gardening, and to the many family projects through the years.  

Della is survived by her children:  Mary (Rick) Flatt of Des Moines; Kate (Mark) Kriynovich of Columbus, OH; Andrew (Jamie) Kenkel of Reynoldsburg, OH; Jeanne (Hassan) Tajvar of Kent, WA; Jane (Werner) Horst of LaGrangeville, NY; Phil (Heidi) Kenkel of Cedar Falls, IA; Peg (David) Thomsen of Iowa City, IA. Her grandchildren are Katie (Justin) Strodtman, Megan (Serge) Osaulenko, Jessica (Nick) Kriynovich, Eric (Cassie) Kriynovich, R. and Leila Tajvar; Gabriella, Andrew, and Sophia Thomsen; Joseph, Benjamin, and William Kenkel.  Great grandchildren are Josh and Alex Strodtman; Hunter and Aurora Osaulenko, Jake & Oscar Judd.  Della was preceded in death by her siblings, Silvan (Sara) Goeser; Vivian (Walter) Petersen; Dorothy (John R.) Bray; Severin (Rose) Goeser; Corinne (Carl) Vils; Roman Goeser; Irma Goeser; Joseph Goeser; Eugene (Gloria) Goeser.

Memorials may be directed to St. Vincent de Paul of Des Moines or The Food Bank of Iowa.