Dorothy Lucille Pugh
Dorothy Lucille Pugh
Dorothy Lucille Pugh
November 19, 1934 – November 17, 2016
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 81
Dorothy Pugh, 81, of Oskaloosa passed away Thursday, November 17, 2016, at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City. Dorothy Lucille Pugh, the seventh of eleven children born to Melvin and Letha (Harvey) Sellers, was born November 19, 1934, in Delta, Iowa.
Dorothy was a 1952 graduate of Delta High School, where she was a member of the basketball team that played in the state tournament her senior year. She also played softball and had the honor of serving as homecoming queen.
Dorothy married David Julian Clark, April 11, 1955, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ottumwa. Tragically, David was killed in an automobile accident, April 2, 1959. Dorothy returned to Iowa with her daughter, Cindy and her soon to be born son, David, and settled in Dubuque, near David’s parents.
A short time later she returned to central Iowa and settled in Oskaloosa. May 19, 1962, she married Kenneth Eugene Pugh. To this union, her daughters Kim and Barb were born. She and Kenny divorced in 1994.
When her children were of school age, she went to work in the school cafeteria and served as the head of baking for several years. She later got a job with G & L Industries, working as an assembler. She remained with G & L through their aquisition by Musco Corporation and retired after 25 years with the company.
Dorothy learned how to work growing up in a large family and continued to be a hard worker her entire life: she had an enormous garden and preserved its bounty by canning and freezing. She was also a wonderful cook and baker; her homemade egg noodles were a family favorite. Dorothy enjoyed playing sports in her youth and continued to enjoy them into adulthood. She played basketball and softball with her children and participated in bowing league for 20 years.
Her family includes her children and their spouses: Cindy L. (& Tracy) Stamp of Iowa City, David J. Clark of Oskaloosa, Kim S. (& Steve) Stek of New Sharon and Barb A. (& Ron) Witt of New Sharon; her nine grandchildren: Adam and Anthony Wiggins, Abby, Amy and Austin Witt, Cody (& Ashley) Stek, Kayla (& Steve) Dawley, Tanner Stek and Shannon Stamp; four great-grandchildren: JR, Payson, Bronson and Barrett; a brother and sister-in-law, Jimmie and Susie Sellers of Evans, Colorado; a sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Jimmie Dale of Wever, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and her first husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by a grandson, Andrew William Wiggins; six brothers: Donald, Chet, Raymond, Bob, Marvin, and Larry Sellers; and two sisters: Mildred Dannels and Viola Fowler.
As was her wish, Dorothy’s body has been cremated.
A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 3-7 p.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at the McVay Family Center at 101 North Main St in New Sharon, Iowa. Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Services Serenity House.
Memories and contributions may be sent to the family by visiting the online guestbook at gvlfuneralchapel.com.
