Dolores Ann (Graybill) Trimble

Dolores A. Trimble, age 90, formerly of Galva, passed away on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Rock Ridge Residential Care of Shellsburg.  A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Silver Creek United Methodist Church of Galva with Pastor Nancy Peterson officiating.  Burial will be at the Galva Township East Cemetery of Galva.  A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 30, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Silver Creek United Methodist Church of Galva.

A woman of faith, strength, nurture, and action, Dolores Ann Vivian Graybill Trimble was born in Galva on March 18, 1931, to Kenneth Charles (Sr.) and Vivian Augusta (Brown) Graybill, the oldest of their nine children.

Dolores, known as Dee to family and friends, graduated from Galva High School in 1948 then attended Buena Vista College where she earned a teaching certificate. She later returned to earn her bachelor’s degree. Dee taught elementary grades in Storm Lake, Schaller, and Ida Grove for 12 years and often recalled her classroom in Schaller being in the bus barn due to space issues in the school building. Never one to be idle, Dee also held several part-time jobs while teaching, including working at the Golden Rule grocery store in Ida Grove as well as cafes in Galva.

On a Sunday afternoon in March 1963, Gordon Trimble stopped to offer Dee a ride home after work at the café in Galva. They began dating and the two were married on September 8, 1963, at the Galva Methodist Church. They became parents of two children, Ann Lynn and Guy Gordon, and lived on Gordon's family farm until 1991, when they moved into Galva to care for Dolores' mother. Following Gordon’s death in 2010, Dee moved first to Odebolt to be near Guy’s family then to Alburnett and Marion, Iowa. Being present for her children’s and grandchildren’s lives was extremely important to Dee.

A lifelong Methodist, Dolores joined the Silver Creek Methodist Church following her marriage where she was very active and always interested in the life of the church and its congregation. Dee retained her church membership at Silver Creek UMC though attended Marion First United Methodist Church for years while residing in the area.

Dee gave of her time and talents selflessly to many causes in addition to her family. She was a leader in Farm Bureau Women, United Methodist Women at the local and district level, conference-level committees of the United Methodist Church, United Methodist lay speaking program, American Legion Auxiliary, Galva Alumni Banquet, Iowa’s sesquicentennial committee for Ida County, and both Galva’s centennial and quasquicentennial celebrations. For the latter, Dee served as editor of the history books detailing the community’s families and stories.

A frequent substitute teacher in area schools, Dee also tutored many children over the years, helping them conquer their particular challenges and achieve success. Her call to nurture and care for others was also apparent in the time she gave to extended family and friends in need, helping many navigate difficult circumstances. Dee also worked as the secretary for the Galva-Silver Creek United Methodist Churches for many years as well as in Galva’s restaurant after moving to town. She joyfully prepared wonderful meals for family and friends as well as delicious baked goods until health caused her move to assisted living.

Dolores is survived by daughter, Ann, and her husband, Roger Ray, of Early, Iowa, son, Guy, and his wife, Danielle, of Alburnett, three granddaughters, Rebecca Ray, of Estherville, Iowa, Taylor Trimble and fiancé, Nate Lux, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Kylee Trimble of Alburnett, as well as a great-grandson, Ethan De La Cruz, of Alta, Iowa, and great-granddaughter, Vixelyn Ray-Earle, of Estherville.

Dolores is also survived by her siblings and their families: Kenneth Graybill, Jr. of Maine, Melly McTernan of Illinois, Ruth Buell of Minnesota, Ross Graybill and Kathy Wulf of Holstein, and the families of Darlene Huth, Lowella Ludlow, and Roland Graybill, Sr., along with Gordon’s nieces and their families, as well as other family and many friends.

Preceding Dolores in death were her parents, Kenneth (Sr.) and Vivian Graybill, parents-in-law, Joe and Virginia Trimble, siblings Darlene Huth, Lowella Ludlow, and Roland Graybill, Sr., brothers-in-law, Dennis Buell and Wilford Wulf, and brother- and sister-in-law, Clifford and Mildred McQuigg.