Obituary of Dorothy Draper Blomquist

Our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, Dorothy Draper Blomquist, passed away Saturday, December 10, 2016 in American Fork, Utah. She was a great example of dedication to family, commitment to faith, and determination in the face of difficult challenges. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched. The youngest of nine children, Dorothy was born on June 16, 1930 in Spokane, Washington to Asa J and Mamie Wilhelmina Anderson Draper. She was raised in Salt Lake City, graduated from South High School, and attended LDS Business College. The secretarial skills that she learned during and after high school, served her well in her community and church service throughout her life. She married her eternal companion, William Harold Blomquist, June 16, 1949 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Dorothy had a life-long passion for music, particularly vocal music, which she loved sharing with others as she sang in and/or directed ensembles and choirs. She loved to write, took writing classes from BYU, and left her family a legacy in poetry and prose. She loved the beauties of nature, especially her large iris garden and her “favorite spot” in American Fork Canyon. Her enthusiasm for music, writing, and nature were contagious, and many of her children share the same passions. Her service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought her great joy, whether preparing a ward newsletter, serving in leadership or teaching in Relief Society, serving as a temple worker at Mount Timpanogos Temple or as a missionary at the Missionary Training Center. She had a passion for helping others. She and her husband tutored children at a local elementary school; she also tutored adults in an adult reading program in Alpine School District. Dorothy’s family meant everything to her. She and her husband, “Bill,” shared 43 years in mortality and she was Bill’s dedicated caregiver for the 8 years prior to his passing. Dorothy was also a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and enjoyed hearing about the activities and accomplishments of her posterity. She put together great family parties and reunions, and wrote a family newsletter called, “Mamie’s Minions,” that kept family ties strong. Dorothy’s example of unconditional love, compassion, and service is a gift to all who knew her. She is survived by her children: Karen (Rod) Smith, Harold (Kathy) Blomquist, Bryan (Shellie) Blomquist, Roger (Debbie) Blomquist, Katie Blomquist, and daughter-in-law Mariah Blomquist, as well as 24 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, 2 half-sisters and 1 half-brother. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sweetheart Bill (William), a son Charles, 2 grandchildren, 5 brothers and 3 sisters. The family would like to thank the staff at Home Care Assistance, the staff of Stonehenge of American Fork, and especially Rosa Castro, for the compassionate and loving care they provided for Dorothy. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 11 a.m. in the Highland 38th Ward, 5335 West 11200 North, Highland, Utah. A viewing will be held Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. at Anderson & Sons Lone Peak Chapel, 6141 West 11000 North, Highland and Wednesday at the church from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in American Fork Cemetery.