Delores "Dee" Ann Ashley

Delores “Dee” Ann Johnson Ashley entered the arms of Jesus on October 6th, 2023.

A visitation will be 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Wesley Global Methodist Church, with a prayer service at 6:30 pm. A funeral service will be 10:30 am Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Wesley Global Methodist Church. Burial will be in Arlington Township Cemetery in Moville, IA. The family is being assisted with arrangements by Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Larkin Chapel. Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.christysmith.com .

Dee was born to Homer and Ethel Johnson on November 2, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky. Their family moved to Moville, Iowa, where she attended Moville Public School, graduating in 1961. On February 9, 1962, she married her high school sweetheart, Art Ashley. They became the parents of Susan, Shelly, and Brenda. They are life-long Iowans living in LeMars, Marshalltown, Marcus, Mapleton, and Anthon. Dee graduated from Westmar College in 1983 and taught 1st-grade at Woodbury Central for 21 years. After her retirement in 2004, Art and Dee moved to Sioux City.

Dee’s faith was her priority. Being involved in church wasn’t an obligation but a passion built on her deep love of Jesus. After moving, they became active in Wesley Global Methodist Church. She participated in Bible Study Fellowship where her faith grew and she met many of her precious friends.

Dee loved to write and in 2018, she published a children’s book, The True Story of Eddie the Duck. Dee enjoyed outdoor activities and spending time with Art and their family.

Survivors include her husband Art of 61 years; daughters, Susan (Gary) Chesley of Omaha, Shelly (David) Nash of Sioux City and Brenda Ashley of Polk City, Iowa; grandchildren, Ann Chesley (fiance: Matthew Berry), Dannika Nash (fiance: Andrew Olufson), Alyssa Nash, and Gabriel Nash; sisters, Joy Lillie, LaDonna Peters and Janice Schnaible, all of Sioux City; and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Gone before her were her parents and in-laws; sisters, Shirley Johnson (infant) and Evelyn Stubbs; and brothers-in-law, Gary Peters, Roger Schnaible, Steve Stubbs, and Gary Lillie.

The last year and a half, Dee bravely faced pancreatic cancer head-on and even though the cancer spread, she was never defeated by it. Her love of Christ shone through until the end. She wanted to send a huge thank you to those who diligently prayed and cared for her through her illness; it made such a difference to her and her family.