Dorothea Elizabeth Dlabal

Dorothea Elizabeth Dlabal, 85, of Independence, MO, passed away, June 24, 2004 in Winston-Salem, NC. She was born January 26, 1919 in Leavenworth, Kansas to Henry and Theresa (Kern) Gercken. After attending nurses training in St. Joseph�s Hospital in Kansas City, Dorothea became a lifelong resident of Independence, becoming active in numerous civic organizations. Among these were the Young Matron�s Society, the Independence Regional Hospital Auxiliary and the Independence Regional Nearly New shop. She was a member of the Nativity of Mary Catholic Church in Independence, where she served as a Stephens minister, catechist, and officer of the Altar Society. She was also founder of the adult Little Parish Study Group and member of the Legion of Mary. She was married to the late Dr. Luke Dlabal, Sr. for 55 years. She is survived by her 2 sons, Luke J. Dlabal, Jr., MD and his wife Chrystal of Lee�s Summit, MO, Thomas A. Dlabal, MD and his wife Kathy of Shalimar, FL, and her daughter, Mrs. Kathy A. Rucker and her husband, Tom of Winston-Salem, NC. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Thomas A. Rucker, Jr. of Winston-Salem, NC, Mrs. Marion Rucker Watkins of Arlington, VA, Luke J. Dlabal, III of Lee�s Summit, Matthew and Elizabeth Dlabal of Shalimar, FL and two great grandchildren Grace and Jackson Rucker of Winston-Salem, NC. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated in Independence, Missouri, at the Nativity of Mary Catholic Church on Monday, June 28, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday June 27, 2004 with a rosary to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Nativity of Mary Catholic Church building fund at 10016 E. 36th Terr., Independence, MO 64052 or to the Grandma�s Alzheimer�s Fund in care of the Kobe House 212 South Sterling, Sugar Creek, MO 64054, for the benefit of Independence Alzheimer�s residents.