DOLLY KATHERN BLANTON KIRSCHENMANN

September 28, 1935 - March 19, 2024

Dolly was born to Emmett and Ruth Blanton in Fannin, Texas in 1935 and was the third of ten children. Even though there were eight head-strong boys, she had little trouble standing her ground in the family order. For example, Daddy would bring home a bag of little hard candies. Being the only girl, Dolly was chosen to distribute them fairly. She placed everyone in a circle, and started to her right...one for you, one for me, one for you, one for me until the circle was completed!

The Blantons were a dust bowl family that migrated to California in 1943. Their first stop was in Buttonwillow at the Bright Labor Camp. There were at least 20 small cabins painted GI green with a large bath house in the middle. Dad was promised a job by Mom's older brother with Bright Farms. Dad immediately went to work driving a caterpillar at night. Dolly helped mom keep everybody in the right room – there were only two!

Dolly was an exceptional student excelling in her grades throughout her education which led to her being an exemplary teacher for 50 years in the Richland School District. She was loved by her students. One of her little 3rd grade boys, in a letter writing exercise, closed his letter with his signature. Then he added, 'P.S. Tommy says you have pretty legs. This is true!'

Dolly waited until a little later in life to get married, she was looking for just the perfect man. And boy did she find him! She married Marvin Kirschenmann in 1969, they were married for 37 years before Marvin's passing. They enjoyed a great life together in Shafter; active in their church, Shafter Kiwanis, FFA, Shafter High School sports, Bakersfield College sports, and most importantly Dodger baseball!

Dolly was a hard worker and was active in many civic organizations on her own. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, holding various positions of leadership. She was a member and Sunday school teacher at the Wasco Church of the Nazarene for many years. Then, after marriage, she became a member of the Ebenezer Reformed Church of Shafter where she loved serving as the choir director for many years.

She is survived by her loving family, Kenneth and Judy Blanton, Kelly Blanton, Joe and Mary Blanton, Johnny and Pat Blanton, Mel and Jan Blanton, Martin and Linda Blanton, Penny and Ross Shafer, Dwight and Jenifer Blanton, and brother in law Leroy Kirschenmann. Dolly's nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews are too numerous to name but all were precious to her. Incredibly, she could name everyone's birthdate by memory!

The most important fact about Dolly was that she anchored her life in the Lord Jesus Christ. He carried her through many difficult times and she was quick to give Him the glory. Her favorite hymn, one of many, was No, Never Alone. She sang it aloud, often. Found in her notebook was this quote, “Please accept my body, Lord. It is all I have to bring. Thank you for paying for my sins and forgiving my weaknesses. I will dwell in your house forever where you will make me whole again. Oh Happy Day! Love, Miss Dolly.”

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Ebenezer Reformed Church in Shafter, California. Services will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/@EbenezerReformedChurchShafter