Dorothy Chapelow Carlson Blackburn

Dorothy Chapelow Carlson Blackburn, 88, born July 21, 1915 joins her first husband, Leonard W. Carlson, mother and father Maria Magdalena Gerbig and Earnest C. Chapelow, sister Velma Chapelow Kasparek in the Heavenly Kingdom.

As a fun-loving child in Lincoln, NE, Dorothy followed her sister's example, collecting scholastic honors, attending the Lutheran Church, studying music, and attending family gatherings. She delighted in her Camp Fire group in her youth, attaining the rank of Torchbearer in the field of Campcraft.

Her sorority, Phi Mu, provided her with an intense circle of friends from her college years throughout her golden years. She attended reunions of her Lincoln High graduating class, her Camp Fire group, and her college graduating class, as well as numerous Phi Mu conventions from 1956 to recent years.

The skills and knowledge she gained at the University of Nebraska earning a B. S. in Business served her well in her work and as a volunteer. Following graduation Dorothy was employed by Bankers Life.

During WWII she kept the "home fires" burning for babies John and Carol until her husband Leonard returned from the Pacific theater. Next she worked beside her husband as secretary, clerical support, and office manager in his Fort Worth construction business, while supporting their children's educational and extracurricular activities and serving as a Phi Mu National officer.

The arrival of grandchildren, one by one, brought new joys for Dorothy, for she treasured each one's distinctive character, creating masterpieces of crochet for their pleasures.

Upon her husband's death in 1967 in San Antonio, Dorothy sought employment with the Bexar County Chapter American Red Cross, first in the position of clerk, then as secretary to the Executive Director and Director of the Business Office. A single woman again, Dorothy enjoyed a rich life filled with work, family and friends, church, P.E.O., and Phi Mu activities both locally and nationally.

In 1984 Robert M. Blackburn, past Executive Director of the Red Cross Chapter, proposed marriage. Eighteen years together were filled with travel, church, friends and family, and Nebraska football.

Attacked by Alzheimer's disease, Dorothy went to live in Castroville where she would be close to her daughter through the frustration of mental confusion. Set free at last, she is greatly missed but well remembered by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Rob Hardy; her son and daughter-in-law, John and Anne Carlson; her grandchildren, Cynthia Joseph, Creston Funk III, Robert Carlson, and Richard Carlson; great-grandchildren, Emily and Amber Carlson; brother-in-law, Everett Kasparek; nieces, Jane Pinnow, Janice Grumman, and Barbara Carlson; nephew, Jim Kasparek; several dear cousins, and her treasured friends.