Dorothy L. Cunningham

Dorothy L. Cunningham, 97, of Richmond, Kansas, passed away Friday, December 2, 2016, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Funeral mass will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at St. Boniface Catholic Church at Scipio, 32292 NE Norton Road, Garnett. A rosary will be held at 6:30 P.M., Tuesday, December 6, 2016, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, followed by a family and friends visitation at 7:00 P.M. Interment St. Boniface Cemetery at Scipio. Dorothy was born Sunday, July 6, 1919, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Samuel and Frances “Fannie” (Robinson) Clark. She lived in Topeka for nine years before moving in 1960 to the Richmond and Princeton area. She graduated from Central High School in Kansas City, Missouri. Dorothy was married to Bernard Brown in the 1930s at Kansas City, Missouri. He preceded her in death. She was united in marriage to James Cunningham February 14, 1953, at Topeka. He preceded her in death on April 27, 1989. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Fannie Clark; two sisters, Helen Gore and Barbara Christianson; brother, Robert Clark; two daughters, Carol Kopp and Linda Lodwig; two sons-in-law, Paul Blankenship and John Lodwig; and granddaughter, Jana Kopp. Survivors include her three daughters, Nancy Blankenship of Baldwin City, Peg Pearson of Richmond, and Julie Wilson of Denver; thirteen grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren; eleven great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and special friends. Dorothy was a devoted homemaker. She also drove a school bus for 14 years for Ottawa USD 290 and Central Heights USD 288 from 1965 to 1979. She was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church, Richmond and the Altar Society. She also attended Sacred Heart Church, Ottawa. Dorothy also enjoyed being a member in the Far & Near Club, Ottawa, and was a Princeton Jolly Workers 4-H leader. Dorothy enjoyed crocheting and making afghans for all of her family and friends. She cherished having family gatherings where she got to spend time with her family and grandchildren. Dorothy was an avid bingo player, and also liked to play dominos and pitch. When she had free time, Dorothy loved to go fishing. Dorothy started the Senior Exercise Program at the Richmond Community Center. She was the Grand Marshall at the Richmond Fair Parade in 2009. The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Therese Catholic Church Building Fund c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Dorothy’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com