Dorothy E. Prang

Dorothy E. Prang

Dorothy E. Prang, 96, of Fort Dodge, died Monday March 14, 2011 at the Trinity Regional Medical Center, Fort Dodge.  She had been in failing health for some time.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2011 at the Bruce-Graham Funeral Home with the Rev. Stephen Bibb officiating.  Interment will follow in the North Lawn Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from noon until service time on Monday.

Dorothy is survived by her son William Prang of Fort Dodge, IA, a sister, Lorraine Axtell of Waterloo, IA, brother-in-law, Mike Orlando of Kensington, MD and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Prang was preceded in death by her husband Eldred Prang, parents, William and Inda Blesie, brothers, Donald and Dale Blesie, Sister Delores Orlando and a niece, Peggy Bagenstos.

Dorothy Evelyn Blesie was born in Renwick, IA on May 25, 1914 the oldest child of William W. and Inda Maree Blesie.  She grew up in Renwick and graduated from Renwick High School in 1933.  She went on to further her education at the State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, IA in the 1930s and taught in rural Humboldt Co. Schools in the 1930s. Dorothy also taught in Albert City, Sheldon and Waterloo, IA schools in the 30s and 40s.  She then taught in Iowa City in the late 40s and early 50s.  In 1947 she studied Child Development and Child Psychology at Greeley, CO and made several close friends there.

Dorothy came to Fort Dodge in 1952 and taught Kindergarten at Duncombe School.  She married Eldred Prang on June 8, 1958 and they made their home in Fort Dodge in the neighborhood of Cooper School.  She retired from teaching in 1962 and was a homemaker after that.

Eldred passed away in 2001 and Dorothy left her home and became a resident of Bickford Cottage Assisted Living Facility in February 2005.  In September of 2006 she became a resident of the Marian Home.

Dorothy was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fort Dodge.

Fort Dodge Area Funeral & Cremation Service, Bruce Funeral Home