Dorothy Mae Blanchard, age 99, of Coon Rapids, IA, passed away on Friday, December 20, 2024 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 23, 2024 at 10:30 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids with Pastor Kevin Evers officiating. Music for the service will be by Cindy Seastrom. Casket bearers will be: Josh Blanchard, Zach Blanchard, Mark Blanchard, Mike Blanchard, Doug Blanchard, Amanda Lee, Don Lee, Shelly Lee, and Emily Fitzpatrick. Burial will be in the Union Township Cemetery in rural Coon Rapids.
Visitation will be held Monday morning from 9:30 A.M. until 10:15 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids prior to the funeral service.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com
Dorothy was born on April 6, 1925 in Guthrie County, IA, on her parents farm and she was the daughter of David and Grace (Lamb) Ritchie. She grew up in Guthrie County graduating from the Guthrie Center High School in 1942. Following high school, she worked in Des Moines for a short time as a telephone operator and then at the D&D Café in Coon Rapids. She also nannied for several families in the Coon Rapids area. She was united in marriage to Delane “Mike” Blanchard on March 6, 1950 at the Lutheran Church east of Coon Rapids. Dorothy worked alongside her husband at their television repair shop Mike’s Radio and T.V. Dorothy was then employed at the Southside Lounge in Coon Rapids until they closed. Dorothy was a member of the Coon Rapids United Methodist Church and the Rebekah Lodge. She enjoyed sewing, croqueting, liquid embroidery, and was well known for the best chicken and noodles, dinner rolls, apple pie, and sticky cinnamon rolls.
Dorothy is survived by her four children and their families: son David Blanchard (Carla) of Belmond, IA, son Les Blanchard (Barb) of Altoona, IA, daughter Janet Lee (R.J. Powell) of Mesa, AZ, and son Steve Blanchard (Cathie) of Mesa, AZ; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law Derwin Blanchard of CA; and special niece Clarissa Kelly and her son Aaron Kelly of Coon Rapids.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband Delane “Mike” Blanchard; granddaughter Shannon Lee; brothers and sisters: Margaret Ritchie, Laurence Ritchie, Edna Palmer, Frank Ritchie, George Ritchie, Jennie Whitten, and Eva Accola.
