Dorline Allbee returned to her heavenly father at age 98 on May 23, 2020, while in residence at Stoney Brook Village in West Union, Iowa. Dorline Marie (Kirchmann) Allbee, daughter of Hulda (Meyer) and Edward Kirchmann was born in Sumner, Iowa, on August 19, 1921. She was baptized on September 4, 1921, and later confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sumner, Iowa. She graduated from Sumner High School in May 1938. She married Dale Allbee on October 26, 1940, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Iowa. The couple initially lived in Waterloo, Iowa, but moved to West Union after Dale returned home in 1946 following service in the navy during World War II. The couple had two children – Judy and Alan.
Dorline was a clerk in the Fayette County Assessor’s Office in West Union from 1949 until 1953. From 1958 until 1961, she was a bookkeeper for U.B.C. Lumber Company. She then spent twenty-five years working as county office assistant at the Farmer’s Home Administration office in West Union, retiring in 1986. She was given numerous recognitions for office process improvement suggestions by FmHA.
After retirement, she was busy doing volunteer work of all kinds. She was a member of a singing trio who performed at Zion Lutheran Church and at the Good Samaritan Home monthly. In 2003, she was given a 20-year volunteer award by the Good Samaritan Society. She carried “Meals on Wheels” for over twenty years and received a volunteer award from the Governor of the State of Iowa. She assisted North High School in computerizing their library books for which she received a Chamber of Commerce award. She was a long-time volunteer for the blood mobile and committee member for the West Union Community concert. She participated in many fund-raising drives in the community. She was a member and house committee chair of the West Union County Club. She volunteered time to assist the poor and elderly in preparation of their income taxes. She was a member of B.P.W., the American Legion Auxiliary, and charter member of the Alzheimer’s Support Group. In July 2013, she was awarded a thirty-year volunteer award by the Good Samaritan society.
She had been an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in West Union since 1946. She served on worship board and altar guild, was the junior choir director, ZLCW treasurer, and circle member, and helped make a church cookbook. She sang alto in the Zion Senior Choir for years as well as the community Messiah. She created over 25 banners for the church, which were displayed in the sanctuary. In January 2016, she was awarded a certificate of recognition for her religious work by the community.
Besides her volunteer work, she loved to play bridge, read voraciously, and did daily crossword puzzles. After Dale’s death due to complications of Alzheimer’s in 1981, she kept her home and yard in great shape even into her 90’s. In September 2015, she moved the Stoney Brook Assisted Living in West Union, where she remained until her death. Moving to assisted living was the spark that kept her going – socializing with staff and residents, continuing to play in two bridge clubs per month, and playing the piano for the residents of the facility.
She was preceded in death by her parents Hulda and Edward, her husband Dale, her siblings Esther, Lucille, Harold and Stanley, and son-in-law Raymond Davenport, She is survived by her son Alan Allbee and daughter-in-law Kristi Dienst of West Union, daughter Judy Davenport of Solon, Iowa, Iowa, three grandchildren Michael, Michelle and Marc and one great grandson Corey.
Due to restrictions caused by the coronavirus, only a private visitation and grave-side service for immediate family will be held at this time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Zion Lutheran Church, West Union, Iowa, and Friends of the Library of West Union, Iowa.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home in West Union, Iowa is assisting the family.