Dessie Lee Blann

From that day forward, Dessie was "Okie" to the core. Her grandchildren often had trouble understanding where "over yonder" was, and her answer to most questions was not usually "yes" but rather "okie dokie."

At age 12, Dessie's mother passed away during childbirth, and Dessie became the "mother" to her three siblings. Her father was a farmer, but he also had a side job of brewing moonshine. Dessie would tell stories of hiding from the "revenuers" and being told to be quiet and not to say anything.

Dessie lived through the 1934 Dust Bowl of Oklahoma, but not without contracting a life-threatening lung disease. Because there were no hospitals in the area, she lived with the doctor in town until she pulled through.

Dessie married Dorral Cecil Blann on March 23, 1940, in Tempe, Arizona. They were married 42 years until Dorral's passing on November 1, 1982.

Dorral was a homebuilder, and they often lived in one of the model homes before traveling to the next building site. She lived at over 20 different addresses in several states before settling into their last home in Millard, Nebraska,

Dessie loved children and was known as Grandma Dessie not only to her family but to the neighborhood children as well. She never missed a birthday for any of them. Even after they were married and moved away, they always made their way back to visit Grandma Dessie.

Dessie never complained; she was kind, loving, caring, and considerate, and in the words of her sister-in-law, Alice, Dessie was not one of best but the best person she'd ever met.

Dessie's house was always all about family. She hosted Sunday dinners and parties with good food, usually serving her Mexican lasagna casserole, with cousins, puzzles, games, and books. Every occasion involved country music with lots of pickin' and grinnin'. Dorral was on his guitar or any other stringed instrument he played. Normally Jerry and Jimmy would accompany him on their guitars as well.

Dessie was an avid sports fan. She never missed one of her children's football games or track meets and followed several national teams including the Kansas City Royals, the KC Chiefs, even Tiger Woods, but none could compare to her Nebraska Huskers. She was the ultimate fan. If you were watching a Husker football game with her, you learned very fast not to EVER talk. If you did, you wouldn't be invited back the next time.

Dessie loved gardening and crafts, including plastic needlepoint. She once made and sent many crayon box holders to school children in Senegal, Africa. Those missionaries are the ones to whom we are sending Dessie's memorials.

The Blanns were avid bowlers, from Dorral and Dessie down to their great grandchildren. When Dessie was no longer able to bowl, she found joy in watching. She especially loved traveling with her son Jim to the national championships he competed in.

100. That was her goal - to live to be 100 years old, and that she did. Everyone celebrated - her family, her neighborhood, and her friends, along with the Omaha fire and police departments. When she reached 100 years old, everything was wonderful. However, she was slightly upset when she turned 101; in her mind, that was too old.

We offer our grateful thanks to Jerry Blann for caring for his mother and allowing her to remain in her home all these years. Had it not been for Jerry, she would have been in a nursing home many years ago.

Dessie Lee Blann was preceded in death by her husband, Dorral Blann; siblings: John Shay, Clarence R. Shay, and Goldie Lemon; daughter-in-law, Carolynne Blann; grandson-in-law, Mark McGuire.

She is survived by children: James C. Blann, Mary (Bill) Rank, Thomas (Diane) Blann, and Jerry Blann; grandchildren: James E. Blann, Douglas (Michelle) Blann, Brenda Blann, Bryan (Pam) Rank, Steve (Carrie) Rank, Kimberly McGuire, Angela (Steve) Shuler, and Tamra Blann; great-grandchildren: Colin, McKenna, Jordyn, Audeleen, Noelle, Nikita, Andrew, Emily, Noah, and Alexandria.

Memorials may be directed to World Missions ℅ Spirit Life Church, 4815 Harrison Street, Omaha, NE 68157.

VISITATION: August 20, 2022, 10:00 a.m.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: August 20, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Westlawn Hillcrest Funeral Home