In Memory of Pauline A. Hummelgard

Pauline A. Hummelgard, age 89, of Battle Creek, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. Rev. Randy D. Cormeny will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, Iowa.   

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Pauline A. (Dose) Hummelgard was born October 10, 1935, to William and Rose (Brown) Dose in rural Danbury, Iowa. She was baptized into the Christian Faith on June 14, 1936, at the St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Mapleton, Iowa, by Rev. August Rueber. She was also confirmed there on June 5, 1949, by Rev. Daryl Schmidt.

At the age of three, she and her family moved to a farm northwest of Mapleton where she attended Hickory Grove School until its closing and finished 7th and 8th grade in Smithland, Iowa. Pauline lived at the family farm and helped care for the family following the death of her mother, Rose, at an early age until her marriage to Orville Hummelgard on June 10, 1956, at the St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. 

In November of 1956, Orville and Pauline moved to a family farm where they began their farming operation. They raised grain and livestock together for 52 years. They were blessed with four children: James, Lois, Duane, and Rose Mary. On November 19, 2005, they moved into Battle Creek. 

Pauline was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Battle Creek, Iowa. She was an active member of the Mary’s Circle, member of the choir, and in charge of the cradle roll. She enjoyed working outdoors with flowers, feeding and watching her birds, and gardening. She was a hard worker and would do anything for anyone. She was an active member of the Battle Creek Women’s Club. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Pauline’s grandchildren especially looked forward to getting homemade Christmas ornaments every year. She also embroidered a set of dish towels for every grandchild and made crib quilts for every grandchild and great grandchild. 

Pauline’s final years were spent residing at Willow Dale Wellness Village in Battle Creek, where she enjoyed putting puzzles together and playing Bingo. She had special bonds with the staff members and even had special nicknames for them.    

Left to cherish her memory are her children: James Hummelgard of Mapleton, IA, Lois (Jeff) Holmes of Battle Creek, IA, Duane (Lauri) Hummelgard of Battle Creek, IA and Rose Mary (Dan) Grau of Lawton, IA; grandchildren: Jason (Mandy) Holmes, Becky (Matt) Matthews, Jill (Bill) Krueger, Sarah (Kyle) Wonders, Sheryl (Whitt) Spaulding, Katie (Mark) Hasler, Justin Hummelgard, Kristi (Eric) Loofe, and Michael (Liz) Grau; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Darlene Dose, Florice Dose, and Betty (Ken) Keeney; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Pauline was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Orville; parents William “Bill” and Rose Dose; brothers Norman (Elnora) Dose, Charles “Bud” Dose, and Leo (Norma Jean) Dose.