Dorothy Bluhm Kelso

Friday, December 10th, when the sun came up and the morning clouds parted, God’s Heavenly Quilters scooted over one place making room for Dorothy Beulah Emily Bluhm Kelso. Ninety-four years and forty-two days of an exceptional life of dedication to her Lord and Savior, her family, her community, and her countless treasured students softly came to a close as she passed from this life to the assurances of God’s kingdom and grace.

Born October 30, 1916 in Yorktown, Texas, Dorothy was the fourth child of William and Augusta (Boldt) Bluhm’s six children…three boys, three girls…all deceased with the exception of one older brother (aged 96), Earl Bluhm, Sr. of Austwell , Texas . She was an extraordinarily motivated student, became high school Valedictorian, and rewarded with an academic scholarship to Southwest Texas State Teacher’s College (now Texas State). Dorothy earned her teacher’s certificate two years later and began her teaching outreach in a tiny, South Texas, one-room school house. Shortly after establishing herself as an ingenious and accomplished teacher, she returned to her Austwell home to assist her grieving family in coping with the untimely death of her baby sister, Lucille. It was during this period she met and later married (November 12, 1939) Cecil E. Kelso of Milam County and moved together to their new home at 909 West Annie Street, South Austin . Once settled, the young couple chose Grace United Methodist Church ( East Monroe ) as their spiritual home where Dorothy was instantly recruited into a career of divinely guided children’s Sunday-school instruction. September, 1941, Dorothy gave birth to her only child, a son, Gordon W. Kelso who she actively supported in all things imaginable from Cub Scout Den Mother, to Little League practice pitcher, to the loudest and proudest sideline Mom…always there, always giving of the deepest mother’s love and devotion, examples of which are endearingly recorded in the Book of Holy Scripture.

In the 50’s, Dorothy and Cecil became charter members of Fidelis Chapter 963, Order of Eastern Star where she received, not long ago, her 50-year service award. In the mid-‘60’s, she returned to Texas State to earn her Bachelor’s of Elementary Education and re-entered the teaching profession at Allison Elementary School. After retiring from AISD’s Webb Elementary, Dorothy’s long commitment as one of Grace Church’s celebrated Quilters, produced, with other equally creative Ladies, countless works of sewing art currently found and enjoyed in homes throughout Austin . A devoted UT sports fan, many a doily and colorful afghan were crocheted throughout the years as she listened to and cheered her favorite Longhorn teams to victory. The Spurs, Cowboys, Astros and UT Women’s Basketball teams were an endless joy for her up to and including her last days…no truer sports fan has ever lived.

Dorothy Kelso was pre-deceased by her parents, her siblings (with the remarkable exception of an older brother), and her husband of 49 years, Cecil (5-23-88). She is survived by son Gordon, his wife Rita, a granddaughter, Gwendolyn Anne Kelso (currently a graduate student at George Washington University, Washington, D.C.), numerous nieces, nephews, and their children throughout Texas and Virginia.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Heart to Heart Hospice; specifically, nurses Lana Vincik and Catherine Fales and daily caregivers Teresa Cruz and Reyna Pettengill.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 P.M., Sunday, December 19, 2010 in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home with Reverend Linda Kessie officiating. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

Instead of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions be made in Dorothy’s honor to Grace United Methodist Church, 205 E. Monroe, Austin, Texas, 78741 for their several special ministries and / or the Scottish Rite Children’s Theatre [a 501.c3 charity providing Austin area children with quality, wholesome, and traditional lifetime theatre memories], 207 W. 18th Street, Austin, Texas, 78701.