Dolores Marie "Dee" Blau

Dolores Marie “Dee” Blau, age 73, passed away peacefully from cancer on May 29, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving husband, Bob, sons, Rob and John, sisters, Emma and Cathie and the caring Kobacker House staff.

Dee was born January 2, 1952, in Flint, Michigan. She grew up on a small family farm in Linden, Michigan with an older brother and three younger sisters. Later as an adult Dee met her sister Avis who had been given up for adoption at birth and became a beloved member of the family also.

She met the love of her life at the age of 19 and got married to Bob on June 17, 1972. The were married for almost 53 years and had two sons, Rob and John whom she loved dearly and was so very proud of.

Dee’s mother and father died of cancer at an early age which influenced her to pursue a career in oncology nursing. She graduated in1985 from Columbus State and passed the boards to become a registered nurse. She worked at Riverside Hospital on the 7 North oncology unit for almost 32 years before retiring in 2017. Her passion was caring for her patients and their families and was considered an excellent caring nurse.

Dee loved sports and played softball for many years, playing on city league women’s teams and later in a mixed church league. Her sons took up ice hockey which Dee loved and joined a women’s hockey team for several years until her hip bothered her too much to play. She enjoyed tennis, ping pong, and playing cards. Another passion for Dee was her yard. Dee was a meticulous gardener and developed and maintained the landscaping for their house for which she won the Gazebo Award for the Grove City area one year.

She loved spending time with friends and vacationing at Hilton Head Island. She worked out 2 to 3 times a week to stay in shape. Holidays were a special time of year for Dee as she enjoyed decorating the house and preparing holiday feasts for her family and friends.

Family relationships were most important to Dee as she was very close to her sisters and their husbands and her brother. She spent numerous vacations with them and was always there for them with help, love and support in good times and bad. Dee was a devoted mother dedicated to raising her boys and was extremely proud of them. They will miss her dearly. Even in her final days Dee was most concerned about her family rather than herself. Her love for them was profound.

Dee was a very strong person both mentally and physically. She was always a good listener, very positive and supportive and tried to make people feel better about themselves and encourage them in what ever they were doing. She was loved by all and will be greatly missed.

Dee is preceded in death by her father, Clayton LaBree, mother, Erma LaBree, brother, David LaBree, brothers-in-law, Rex Burton and James Kehler. She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Robert Blau, Jr, sons, Rob Blau, John (Amy) Blau, sisters, Avis Burton, Catherine (Steve) Sherman, Frances (Brad) Middleton, Emma Kehler, sister-in- law, Betty (Tom Ferguson) Blau, and many nieces, nephews and many dear friends. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025, from 5-7 pm at Schoedinger Grove City 4242 Hoover Rd where her funeral service will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 11 am with Pastor Matt Cox, officiating. Inurnment will be held at Alton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Kobacker House at https://www.ohiohealth.com/ohiohealth-foundation or by mail to Kobacker House 800 McConnell Drive Columbus, Ohio 43214