Dorothy T. Blaha

Dorothy T. Blaha, 91, of Havelock, IA, died Monday, January 11, 2021, at the Laurens Care Center in Laurens, IA. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church, 202 W. Elm Avenue – Pocahontas, IA. Honorary pallbearers will be her Godchildren: Duane Christensen, Gary Milefchik, Chris Dale, Chuck Blaha, Jim Hubbell, Wally Blaha, Jan Blaha Mlynarik and Donna Havlik. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Dorothy was born to Hans and Margaret (O'Shea) Dale on July 14, 1929, at Black Water, North Dakota. She received her schooling there. She moved to Iowa with her parents in 1946. She worked in several homes as a hired girl. Dorothy married Jerry Blaha on September 28, 1949, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pocahontas. They lived in Pocahontas, Rolfe and Plover before settling in Havelock. Dorothy and Jerry were owners of Blaha's Tavern in Havelock for 7 years which she so enjoyed serving food and visiting with every one of their customers.

Dorothy had a very special love for every child she knew. She babysat for so many children over the years and everyone called her “Grandma”. She also cared for her invalid husband many years before his death in 1989.

Dorothy enjoyed doing embroidery work, mowing lawn and visiting with everyone.

Survivors include her children: Teresa Bunting of Havelock, Jerry (Vicki) Blaha of Emmetsbrug, IA, Denise (Alan) Rippentrop of Clare, IA and Mary (Sam) Martinez of Phoenix, AZ; daughter-in-law: Cheryl Blaha of Earlham, IA; grandchildren: Brenda (Mike) Anderson, Brandi Bunting, Bridget (John) Mauck, Wendy (Dave) Krischel, Melissa (Ronnie) Daughhetee, Mikki Martin, Michael (Ashley) Blaha, Sally (Scott) Runnels, Pete (Jackie) Blaha, Amber (Squire) Boone, Josh (Alycia) Jones, and Nick (Kelly) Bunting, Sherri, Wes and Christine Rippentrop; great grandchildren: Autumn, Trey, Jaedyn, Tyler, Morgan, Abby, Hunter, Chloe, Raegan, Nora, Olivia, Melanie, Rodney, Allison, Elijah, Bradley, Niko, Katie, Brandon, Zach, Amber and Andrew; Summer, Emila,Neir, Devyn, Teryn, Braxton, Meia and Josiah; and sister-in-law: Cathy Dale.

Preceding her in death were her husband: Jerry; infant twin daughters; sons: Rod and Melvin; son-in-law, Gary Bunting, brothers: Jerry, John and Donald; sisters: Mary Ann and Margaret; granddaughter: Jennifer; and great grandchildren: Raef and Ally.