Dodge City – Blossom “Dossie” Darlene (Gerrond) Schweitzer was born on November 26, 1933 in Hugoton, the youngest of five children born to James and Eva (Slemp) Gerrond. She passed away on February 15, 2022, after a brief illness, at the age of 88, at the Hodgeman County Health Center, surrounded by her family. When she was born, her daddy named her Blossom. Her 2-year-old sister, Evelyn, couldn’t say Blossom, so she nicknamed her baby sister “Dossie”, and claimed Dossie as hers from then on. The nickname stuck, and she was known as Dossie thereafter. They were inseparable in early life growing up on the family farm in Hugoton. Dossie loved kitties from a very young age. They did not have dolls, so the girls dressed up their kitties in doll clothes, and carried them around in shoe boxes. They loved to play house, collecting treasures for dishes for their kitchen they made in an old wagon. They attended 2 different country schools in their young life. Dossie was just 10-years-old when they lost their father. They attended high school in Hugoton, where these two girls loved playing trumpets in the marching band. Dossie was a high jumper in track. Dossie had the biggest heart in the tiniest body. All her life, people loved her for her sweet disposition.
After graduating in 1951, Dossie worked as a phone operator in Dodge City. This is where she met the love of her life. Dossie was united in marriage to Vern R Schweitzer on March 8, 1958 in Hugoton. They made their home in Dodge City. Three children were born to this union: son Russel (Park), and daughters Linda, and Mendy. Dossie took much pride in creating a warm home, where they raised their 3 children, even serving on the PTA. In 1976, Vern and Dossie moved north of Holly, Colorado, and established their family farm. Dossie loved creating her yard, gardening, planting flowers, and wasn’t afraid of jumping on a mower to groom the yard to her liking. She loved the wildlife, especially the birds and the deer that came to their yard. She had a heart for all animals that she and Vern passed on to their entire family. She was very talented with water color painting, and played the organ beautifully by ear. She was renowned for her very good cooking over the years. Dossie and Vern enjoyed bowling, attending the horse races, and coming to town to mingle with their many friends. Dossie remained Vern’s right hand gal on the farm; hauling lunch, helping move and running for parts, until they relocated to Dodge City in 2014.
Dossie loved football more than any woman ever has, taking special delight in playing fantasy football for many years. She took delight in winning the family competition many times. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a source of great joy for her. She loved to see pictures and videos of the kids, and is treasured for her witty comments and emojis. She is and will be missed greatly by all her family.
Dossie is survived by son, Park Schweitzer and wife Lori of Holly, Colorado; two daughters Linda Frisbie and husband Terry and Mendy Olivarez and husband Ron, all of Dodge City; five grandsons Derek, Darin and wife Christina, Kellen and wife Abby, Anthony and wife Sabrina, and Zachary, as well as 6 great grandchildren Charlie, Kynlee, Everly, Boston, Carson, and Abraham, special sister Evelyn Schmidt, and numerous nephews and nieces.
Dossie was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-two years, Vern R Schweitzer, her parents, two brothers, Babe and James Gerrond, sister Bonnie Ipson, sister-in-law Ima Jean Gerrond, brother-in-laws, Roger Ipson, and James Schmidt.
Memorial service will be held at Swaim Funeral Chapel on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 11:30 AM with Pastor Mike Lewis presiding. Family Inurnment will follow at a later date, in Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in Ft. Dodge. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to Hodgeman County Health Center or Hospice of the Prairie in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.
