Funeral services for Dorothea "Dottie" Van Blaricom, 93, who passed away January 7, 2019 at Mill Pond Retirement Community will be held at 2 pm Sunday, January 13 at McLaren's Funeral Chapel with burial at Resthaven Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services.
Dottie was born July 14, 1925 in Elkhart to Nathaniel and Zelda Shaffer Childs. She grew up on the family farm in Polk City and was a 1942 graduate of Sheldahl High School. Upon graduation she attended Capital City Commercial College in Des Moines and worked as a private secretary in a law office. In 1952 she joined the Iowa Department of Education and retired in 1987 after 35 years of service.
In 1947 Dottie and A.J. Van Blaricom were united in marriage; they were blessed with two children, Phillip Lee and Ginger Kay.
Dottie enjoyed life and was happiest when she was helping or serving others. She enjoyed teaching adult education classes in cake decorating and doing volunteer sewing and alterations for her many friends.
Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 60 years, and her sister Vera Hoffman. She is survived by her son, Phillip (Janice) Van Blaricom, Deltona, FL; daughter, Ginger Doumas, Ankeny; 5 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, John E. Childs (Dorothy); and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the West Des Moines Christian Church, 4501 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50265-5480.
