Della Marie Appel

Della Marie Appel, 94, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, went to be with the Lord on Monday, August 4, 2025, at her residence at Covenant Living at Inverness in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Della was born on June 29, 1931, in Lytton, Iowa, the daughter of Victor and Helene (Rohr) Schultz. After graduating from Lytton Community School, she attended Iowa State Teachers College and went on to teach fifth grade for two years in Hampton, Iowa. During the summer between those years, she worked as a waitress in Estes Park, Colorado, where she met a friendly customer — a fellow Iowan named Bob Appel. The next summer, on June 14, 1953, Della married Robert Eugene Appel.

They made their home in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where they raised five children: Robert Michael, Scott Franklin, Denise Marie, DeEtta Helene, and Susan Beth. The Appel home was a place where family and friends always knew they could drop by any time for a cup of coffee or a chat. In Della’s quiet and unassuming way, she passed on so many gifts to her children: the value of hard work, of using each penny wisely, of commitment to friends and family, and of appreciating God’s creation in every bird and flower and sunset.

Della found value in everything she encountered in life. She was an avid gardener, and for many years the family ate primarily from the large garden she and Bob tended. Each year she canned many quarts of tomatoes, pickles, green beans, and more — a labor of love among many others. She was also especially known for her blackberry patch — a highlight for visiting grandchildren.

Della was an active member of many community clubs including Bridge Club, Quilt Club, Sweet Adelines, Red Cross, and Master Gardener Club in Mount Pleasant. She also held several jobs in Mount Pleasant, her last being as secretary to the school board. Always ready for an adventure, she joined a group from Iowa in the summer of 1995 to bicycle 5,000 miles across the United States in celebration of Iowa’s Sesquicentennial.

She was an active member of Mount Pleasant Open Bible Church where over the years, she served as a choir director, pianist, organist, Sunday School teacher, and elder. She faithfully attended weekly Bible studies and baking dozens of cookies for the annual Cookie Walk.

She was an enthusiastic quilter, creating intricate handmade pieces for loved ones. She never missed a day reading the newspaper—often clipping out articles to send to those they reminded her of. She found joy in the small moments: chuckling at squirrels trying to steal seed from her bird feeders or discovering a beautiful perennial that had transplanted itself on her property.

After spending several winters in Oklahoma with her daughter DeEtta and son-in-law Dr.Tim Hughes, Della became a resident of Covenant Living at Inverness in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at age 91. She quickly became deeply involved in her new community — playing games, playing and teaching bridge, joining the poetry club, working with residents in memory care, and making the most of every day. Her daily walks around the property were a highlight, offering the chance to greet dear friends and to send texts to her family about anything that fascinated her along the way.

Della was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert; her daughter, Denise Marie Whaley; her daughter-in-law, Ann Vandervelde Appel; her grandson, Bobby Appel; her parents, Victor and Helene Schultz; and her brothers, Victor Schultz, Otis Schultz, and Don Schultz.

She is survived by her children: Robert Michael (Peggy) Appel, Scott Franklin Appel, DeEtta Helene (Dr. Timothy) Hughes, and Susan Appel (James) Sorenson; her son-in-law, Ted Whaley; her grandchildren Alana, Aaron, Daniel, Evan, Austin, Erin, Olivia, Lauren, Tyler, Spencer, Conner, Parker, Brooke, and Claire; her great-grandchildren Jaden, Leo, William, Jolie, River, and her newest great-grandchild and namesake, Della Katherine Appel; her sister, Leah Colburn; and her brother, Richard Schultz.

Della saw every moment as a gift from God, never missing an opportunity to make a new friend, work hard, and find joy in all things. She will be deeply missed by all who had the delight of knowing her.

Services to honor Della will be held in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the Mount Pleasant Open Bible Church, 306 North Cherry Street, Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m.; the funeral service at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial and a luncheon at the church, to which everyone is invited.