Dorothy "Maez" Vaughan

Dorothy "Maez" Vaughan, nee Hunzelman, 93, passed away peacefully and entered into eternal life with the Lord, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at The Grande at Creve Coeur.

Born June 25, 1929, in St. Anthony, Iowa, Dorothy was the daughter of the late Warren and Hilda Hennies Hunzelman. She grew up on the farm helping her older brother Donald, even milking the cows and driving the tractor. She attended college at River Forest, Illinois. She taught school in Bridgeman, Michigan for four years and another four years at Trinity Lutheran School in Davenport, Iowa.

On Dec. 28, 1951, Dorothy was united in marriage to LaVerne "Vern" Lensch at St. John's Lutheran Church in State Center, Iowa. They were blessed with two children, Diane (Lensch) Von Ahn of St. Louis, and Brian Lensch of Moline, Illinois.

On April 28, 1979, she married Phil Vaughan in Bettendorf, Iowa. They moved to Naples, Florida in 1985. During their many years in Florida, they loved going on many cruises to different places. In 2012, they moved to Washington to be closer to family. They enjoyed 35 happy years together until Phil's passing in October 2014.

Dorothy loved to work and worked all her life until age 80. Over the years, she worked at U.S. Steele and sold Home Interiors in the Davenport/Bettendorf, Iowa area. In Naples, Florida, she worked at The Willough at Naples and Allen Systems Group.

Dorothy was a loving mom, grandma and great-grandma. She was loved by all who knew her.

She is survived by her brother, Vernon Hunzelman, Marshalltown, Iowa; her daughter, Diane (Lensch) Von Ahn and husband John; her son, Brian Lensch; one grandson, Kris Von Ahn (Charlotte); three great-grandchildren, Ava, Jack and Henry; stepchildren, Brad (Rebecca) Vaughan, Judi Vaughan, David (Anna Maria) Vaughan and Pat (Tom) White; step-grandchildren, Kathryn, Christina, David, Jessica, Adam, Allie and Ashley; and step-great-grandchildren, Caelen, Tristen, Cadence, Harper and Taylor.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands, Vern Lensch and Phil Vaughan; and three siblings, Reuben Hunzelman, Donald Hunzelman and Lucille Hunzelman.

A private family memorial service was held Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington.

Burial will be at a later date at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, State Center, Iowa.

Memorial donations can be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 214 West 5th Street, Washington, MO 63090 or ProMedica Hospice Memorial Fund online or at 12101 Woodcrest Executive Drive, Suite 102, St. Louis, MO 63141.

Arrangements were in care of Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington.