Dorothy Bleich 1910-2005

BLEICH, TREINEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 5/1/2009 at 00:29:02

Dorothy Bleich

Dorothy Bleich, 95, a longtime resident of Mapleton, Iowa died peacefully on October 8th in Graham, Washington.

Dorothy (Treinen) was born and raised in the Marcus-Remsen area of Northwest Iowa. While studying languages at the University of Iowa, she met Herbert "Doc" Bleich of Burt, Iowa, a dental student. They graduated in 1932, married and moved to Mapleton where Dr. Bleich opened his dental practice above the First State Bank. When WWII intervened, he was drafted and his last assignment was at the Army Hospital near Santa Fe. It was there that Dorothy first fell in love with the climate and culture of the Southwest.

After the war, they returned to Mapleton, built their home on Chamberlain Avenue and raised their two children. In the late 1950's, the high school principal begged her to teach "just a couple of Latin classes". Later, Spanish replaced Latin and part-time turned into full-time when she also added English classes. After a few years she found the groove she liked best, Spanish and mathematics. She made many trips to Mexico to learn conversational Spanish and eventually took some of her students on learning tours throughout Mexico. Ever the tireless student herself, she traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and to such faraway places as Africa, China, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, England, Scandinavia, Bali and Tahiti. Her final trip was to the heights of Machu Picchu in Peru, South America.

Dorothy retired after a satisfying 20 years of teaching. After Dr. Bleich died in 1972, she spent the next 20 winters in her beloved Southwest in Mesa, Arizona. After a series of small strokes began to effect her health, she lived in Mapleton year round. In 1995, she moved to Washington state to be with her son and daughter and their families. Her last few years were spent receiving full-time, loving care at an adult family home in Graham, Washington.

Dorothy loved nature, mastered many crafts, most notably woodworking and sewing, and was an avid golfer. In 1965 she initiated the girls‚ golf program at Mapleton High and served as their first team coach. Also musically talented, Dorothy played the piano and organ. As an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church she directed the adult choir for many years.

Dorothy is survived by her son, Robert (Bob) of Graham, Washington; daughter, Elizabeth (Betty) of Volcano Village, Hawaii; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life and planting of her ashes in the Mapleton cemetery is tentatively planned for May 6, 2006, the day she would have been 96. The family will place a notice in the Mapleton Press around that time to confirm details. In the interim, anyone wishing to reach the family may contact Elizabeth Miller at PO Box 504, Volcano Village, Hawaii 96785 or Bob Bleich at 23715 68th Ct. E., Graham, WA 98338.