Heaven gained a wonderful Irish lady when Dolores Ann (Hannam) Scieszinski, 88, passed away on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines. She was born in the family’s home on November 11, 1934 in Melrose, Iowa, the daughter of Mortimer & Margaret (Peg) (Sheedy) Hannam. Dolores was raised in Melrose and graduated from the Russell High School in 1952, where she developed a lifelong love of basketball by being a member of the Bluebird’s 6 on 6 basketball team.
On November 8, 1952 she was united in marriage to Edward (Ed) P. Scieszinski and farmed with him on their homestead in Melrose. The Korean War forced Dolores and Ed to travel the country and live briefly in Alaska before moving back to the Melrose area and raise four wonderful kids: John, Lisa, Monie, Greg. Unfortunately, baby Ann preceded Dolores in death.
Dolores spent 30 years of her life being the Melrose school secretary, where she was able to have a positive impact on many students' lives and watch them grow while also keeping a watchful eye on her own ornery children. Dolores and Ed were also active members of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and volunteered their time for community and church activities whenever they had the chance.
In 1996, Ed “retired” from farming and Dolores retired from the school district to travel the country again, this time for pleasure. Sadly, on March 26, 1999, Dolores lost the love of her life when Ed entered the gates of heaven. In 2000 she moved to Des Moines to be closer to her children and grandchildren.
For the past 23 years, Dolores spent her time meeting new friends in the Des Moines area, attending sporting and school events for her grandchildren, attending mass and volunteering at St. Francis of Assisi, and cheering on the Golden State Warriors or watching whatever basketball game was on the television. Also, watching daily mass on TV and saying her rosary and prayers. Today she is finally dancing in heaven with Ed, but will still probably take time to catch a basketball game.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, March 15th at 10 am at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4 – 7 pm at the Merle Hay Chapel in Des Moines with a Rosary to be recited at 6 pm. Dolores will be buried at the Mt Calvary Cemetery in Melrose, Iowa with a graveside committal service at 3 pm on Wednesday.
Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Ann, and siblings, Jean (Don) Turbot, Bob (Jean) Hannam, Sheila (George) Starcevich & twin sister Dorothy (Larry) Donaghy, and grandson Nick Simonini. She is survived by her children, John (Brenda) Scieszinski, and their children, Nicole Scieszinski Vidal (Miguel), Megan and Sean (Ellen); Lisa (Ric) Simonini and their children, Jay (Carri) and Marci; Monica (Cevin) Anderson and their children Jena (Joe) Shutman and Joel (Anne); Greg (Mary) Scieszinski, and their children, Katie (Austin) Lensch, Drew (Jo) and Cole; and 13 great grandchildren.
Memorials may be directed to Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Melrose.
