Delores Bernieta Balandis

Dodee shared her love and kindness with family, friends, and everyone she met. Dodee passed away at the age of 97 in Stockton, CA where she was a resident at The Commons since November, 2019. The family is forever grateful for the love and care shown by The Commons’ staff.

Dodee was born on her grandparent’s farm near Emery, South Dakota to Lena Weeldryer and Harry Heitzman. Growing up, she remembered that her parents spoke German to keep secrets from her, sister Betty, and brother Harry. Also, living on the family farm, she had chores, helped raise chickens and sell the eggs. At 16, she and her sister moved to Sioux Falls, SD where they worked to support themselves and finished high school.

After high school she worked for AT&T in Sioux Falls, where she asked, “what number, please”. Later she met and married Donald “Skip” Kimzey in March 1952. They moved to Fontana, CA and Skip left for Korea. They settled in Santa Clara, CA with their 5 children in 1960. While raising children, Dodee worked at Signetics, Peterson High School Cafeteria, and eventually spent over 10 years as a real estate agent with Realcom in Santa Clara. She volunteered with Little League, Republican Ladies, and at the San Jose Airport Welcome Booth. She was a member of Santa Clara First Baptist Church; where on many Mother’s Days, she was proud to be recognized as the mother with the most children, 5, in Church.

She met and married William “Bill” Balandis in 1980 and his 4 children became part of her family. Dodee and Bill moved to Penn Valley, CA in 1988 where they lived until 2014. They had 10 acres with horses, dogs, and cockatoos. She especially enjoyed visits from adult children and spouses, grandchildren and eventually their spouses and great grandchildren. Dodee was well connected to the Penn Valley Community Church and participated in the ladies bible study, prayer chain, and bereavement services. She enjoyed game night with friends and family. She was always one to prepare large meals family style to include any extra guests.

When she had a chance, a favorite thing was to play the slots in Reno. Luck was often on her side and Dodee came home with extra funds!

She and Bill downsized to Roseville in 2014. When Bill passed in 2019, Dodee settled at the Commons in Stockton. There she made many friends and participated in numerous games and social activities. She realized that at 90, it was the first time she lived on her own.

Dodee’s legacy is her love for family and friends, kindness, and love of Jesus. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and their spouses; husband, Skip; her beloved youngest son, Greg; her stepson, Doug; husband, Bill; son-in-law, Jurgen; step grandson, John; numerous cousins, friends, and extended family members. Dodee is survived by her children, Don (Jill), Jan, Cheryl (Brian), David (Anne), and daughter-in-law Marilee; stepson Dan (Sandy), stepdaughters Sharon (Greg) and Judie, 21 grandchildren and spouses, 25 great grandchildren, several cousins, and many nieces and nephews.

After decades of always doing for others, Dodee will be laid to rest during a private interment at Mission City Memorial Park in Santa Clara. Family and friends will celebrate her life September 19th in Livermore, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Dodee’s memory to: Help fight Alzheimer's.