With Glen Miller music playing in the background and with her sister and daughter at her bedside, Dorothy Blanton died peacefully at Westhills Village Health Care on Thursday, January 3, 1913. She was 92 years old. Dorothy was born in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, on May 3, 1920. She was the fourth child, "the baby," born to her parents, Jessie Kate (Thompson) Tatum and Robert Todd Tatum. In 1935, during the depths of the Depression, the entire Tatum family relocated to Los Angeles with the hope of finding better employment opportunities. Dorothy graduated from North Hollywood High in May of 1937. Assisted by the recommendation and encouragement of her high school bookkeeping teacher, Dorothy went to work for the Teachers' Credit Union in downtown Los Angeles. With co-workers who were to become life-long friends, Dorothy enjoyed taking the street car after work to the ballrooms where the "big bands" played. Dorothy loved to dance and even decades later, hearing the music of Harry James or Glen Miller brought back memories of those good times in Los Angeles. In December of 1941, Dorothy returned to South Dakota with her ailing mother; they arrived in Rapid City on the day of the Pearl Harbor attack. Needing to find work as soon as possible, Dorothy accepted a job as bookkeeper at Duhamel's Trading Post. It was at Duhamel's that Dorothy met the man who would become her husband, William Henry "Bill" Blanton. If ever there was truth to the saying "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach," it was surely the case with Bill and his "Duchess." Pineapple Upside-down Cake was the clincher. Bill and the Duchess were married on Christmas Day in 1945. For the remainder of their life together, as long as the Duchess was cooking, every meal she prepared was "just like Christmas." After Bill and Dorothy were married, Dorothy managed their household while Bill managed Duhamel's Trading Post. Besides being an excellent cook, Dorothy was an expert seamstress. Dressing their two daughters in matching outfits for Easter was one of Dorothy's special projects each spring. One inspiration for her sewing was to be "different," to have lovely clothing that no one else would be wearing. Until macular degeneration made it too difficult for her to see, Dorothy enjoyed creating distinctive apparel for every occasion. During their "leisure" time, Bill and Dorothy enjoyed going horseback riding and fishing together--even ice fishing when the lakes froze over. During the summer time, when Duhamel's store hours were 8 a m to 9 p m, seven days a week, Dorothy would work for Bill on Sundays so that he could "play" and do the things he enjoyed. By continuing to work at the store almost weekly, Dorothy had a good idea of what customers wanted and she could assist in making decisions about what merchandise might sell. Throughout their married life, Bill and Dorothy enjoyed hosting "poker parties." After retirement, when the Blantons were in their eighties, the poker parties continued; but Bill's food preferences had changed. Instead of having salty/savory snacks, Dorothy served milk and her yummy homemade cookies. Besides poker, Dorothy enjoyed playing the slots and was a regular for Bingo at Westhills Village. Always keeping track of her winnings and losses, Dorothy only gambled for fun. She considered that what she spent gambling was far less harmful or wasteful than other vices--excluding chocolate, of course. One time she hit a jackpot in Nevada on her way to celebrate a grandchild's graduation. What fun she had spending her winnings for the remainder of the trip, shopping (almost) without guilt and generously hosting meals with family and friends. Though Dorothy would not admit that she had many regrets about her life, it is surely true that if it were not for the loss of her vision, Dorothy would have enjoyed doing MORE of the activities she relished: traveling; assisting with the Rapid City Symphony League; sewing; participating in the programs of First Presbyterian Church. Dorothy will be missed by her friends and family. She had an amazing ability to recollect past events and she could enrich any conversation sharing her recollections. Even without the benefit of clear vision, Dorothy's memory and her genuine interest in people were never diminished, even in her last hours. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Blanton, by their beloved daughter, Terry Helen Blanton, and by their infant son, William Robert Blanton. Survivors include her daughter, Sharon (David) Tool; grandson, W. A. Ehren (Sara) Tool; granddaughter, Shannon Adair (Mae Rose) Tool; her precious grandson, Argil Frederik Tool; and her sister, Jewel Tatum. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and husband, William Henry Blanton. Visitation will be at from 9:30 to 10:30 am on Thursday, January 10, at First Presbyterian Church, 710 Kansas City Street with funeral services scheduled for 10:30 am at the church with Rev. Jeff Kintner officiating. Burial will be at the Mountain View Cemetery, Rapid City next to her husband, William. A memorial has been established with the Thrift Store for the Rapid City Club for Boys with appreciation for the ways in which the thrift store supports the mission of the Club for Boys as well as for the ways it serves the wider community. The address is P O Box 907, Rapid City, S D 57701.