Dorothy Michalson

Dorothy L. Michalson, 92, passed away on February 18, 2012. She was born July 12, 1919 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She attended the University of Minnesota where she completed her undergraduate and graduate work in foreign language, with an emphasis in Spanish. She met her husband George while attending the University of Minnesota and they were married in December of 1948. She moved with George to Kansas City in 1952 when he accepted a position upon his recent graduation from law school. After her arrival in Kansas City she began working for the Kansas City School District as the Director of Foreign Languages. In that capacity, she was responsible for developing a televised Spanish language educational program which was broadcast on the local public education channel and viewed in elementary school classrooms as part of the regular elementary curriculum. Later, she accepted a position as a professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City where she taught until her retirement. During this time she taught courses in Spanish literature as well as foreign language educational methods, which led her to place many of her pupils in student teaching positions at various schools throughout the Kansas City area. As an instructor of foreign language, she was an early adopter of the “immersion” method of foreign language education. Later in her career, she collaborated with a colleague in the development of a Spanish text book, Un Buen Repaso, which was published by Prentice Hall and widely used in colleges and universities for many years. Along with her husband George, she was a long time active member of the Rockhill Club and Woodside Tennis and Health Club. They were also active members of the International Club, the Rotary Club, the Kansas City Club, the Friends of Art, and the Lake of the Ozarks Yachting Association. Her other interests included a keen appreciation of music, particularly classical music, and she was at one time an accomplished amateur pianist. A devoted daughter, wife, mother and friend, Dorothy is survived by her son Greg and daughter-in-law Gena, and their children Brett and Marian; and her son Jeff, and his daughter Lauren. She was preceded in death by her father Peter Trandeff and her mother Myrtle, by her grandson Tommy Michalson and by her husband of 59 years, George Michalson. Everyone who knew Dorothy and George were aware of their great love and devotion for each other. Theirs was truly a “fairy tale” marriage from start to finish.

Friends may call on Thursday, February 23rd, 12:30 p.m., at McGilley Memorial Chapel, 12301 State Line Rd, Kansas City, MO. A memorial service will follow at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Safe Kids Kansas, 1000 SW Jackson, Ste. 230, Topeka, KS 66612. The family wishes to extend thanks for the caring support of the staff of Manor at Grace Gardens.