Karen Darlene (Dolly) Dinkel

Published 8:26 am Wednesday, August 15, 2018

October 30, 1935 – August 6, 2018

In Loving Memory

On August 6, 2018, Karen (Dolly) Darlene (Grant) Dinkel passed away peacefully to be with her Lord at age 82. She was in her home surrounded by family; ending her battle with Alzheimer’s and Scleroderma.

Dolly was born October 30, 1935, in Redmond, Oregon, to Ruth (Leach) Grant and Leonard Grant.

As a child she spent time traveling with her parents as her dad was a construction foreman for Guy F. Montauge. While in grade school, she attended a one room school house in Grizzly, Oregon. Later she moved with her folks to a farm in Culver, Oregon where she resided throughout the remainder of her school years. On the farm she drove tractors, trucks and combines. Whatever her dad needed help with, she could do. She also spent time riding and caring for horses.

During her younger teenage years, she attended Culver Grade School and was part of 4-H. At Culver High School, she became the first FFA sweetheart. She was active in pep club, cheerleaders, band, school newspaper editor, drama, played volleyball, held many student body officer positions and she taught short hand. In 1951, she was Jefferson County Rodeo Queen, Ladino Clover Queen in 1952. In 1953, she was valedictorian of her senior class at Culver High School and nominated the Outstanding Girl of her high school.

Dolly had many jobs over her lifetime. She worked at Renn’s Diner in Madras, Oregon, during high school. Then after high school she worked for several years for the ASC Office in Madras, Oregon, before marrying Gary (Cap) Dinkel on January 31, 1955, at the Powell Butte Church by Rev. Penny Pennhollow. Before her passing, they had been married for 62 and a half years.

After their wedding, they lived in California while Cap finished out his time in the Marine Corps. Once back in Oregon, she worked as a secretary for Dean La Masters while Cap attended Oregon State College.

Dolly moved overseas with Cap in 1966 to live in New Zealand for four years.

They returned to the United States in 1970 and settled in Oregon once again with time spent residing in Milwaukie, Scappoose, Damascus and then finally in 1980, back to her roots in Culver.

Her children were always her main focus and she deeply loved them. She volunteered in classrooms, went on field trips, attending every sporting event, music performance and happening in their lives. She cared so much and would do anything for her children. Later on she enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren too. She was happy to be around family.

Before Scleroderma, Dolly enjoyed sewing, painting, hula dancing, gardening, square dancing with her favorite partner Cap and water skiing (even though she couldn’t swim). She also volunteered during the Cancer Drives each year in Scappoose.

She always held on to her love of reading up until Alzheimer’s no longer allowed her the ability to read. Music was also a very nice past time.

She never got tired of the view of the mountains from her home or glimpsing the site of humming birds or owls that called her yard home. In that yard, Dolly grew many beautiful flowers which she took great pride in, especially the roses.

Dolly was devoted to Culver Christian Church and attended regularly.

She and Cap traveled over the years to Germany, France, Fiji, Australia, Canada, Hawaii and of course New Zealand.

Dolly was an extraordinary woman. Even with all of her ailments, she never complained or pitied herself. She also never approached a day without a smile. She was a blessing to all who knew her and to say she will be missed, is an understatement.

Dolly is survived by her loving husband, Cap of Culver, son, Shane (wife, Delores) of California, daughters, Shelley Anderson (husband, D.J.) of Sandy, Oregon, Tammy Gates (husband, Mike) of Redmond, Oregon. Seven grandchildren, Steven Dinkel, Karl Dinkel, Karolyn Dinkel, Drew Anderson (wife, Acacia), Cameron Anderson (wife, Lark), Dalton Gates, Casey Gates and three great-granddaughters, Lennox Anderson, Quinn Anderson and Leonora Anderson.

Memorial Service to be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at the Culver Christian Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Redmond, Culver Christian Church, or charity of your choice.

Dolly’s family wishes to thank Hospice of Redmond for the wonderful care, especially Nurse Valerie.