Dorothy Mae Kopine Blach was born May 24, 1932 as an only child to Louis Jr and Alice (Klikus) Kopine.
Affectionately known by many as Dottie, she grew up in the town of LaVeta, right below the Spanish Peaks of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range in southern Colorado. She was very active in school and community and was a cheerleader in high school, graduating with honors. Most of her cousins were of single children families and the cousins were close to each other in their relationships like brothers and sisters.
In Dottie’s teen years she worked as a soda jerk which was at a soda fountain and ice cream parlor in the famous “Charlie’s” hardware grocery store in downtown LaVeta. Dottie’s sons, grandkids and great grandchildren still visit Charlie’s when visiting Dottie’s stomping grounds to get ice cream cones or floats, reminiscing about what it was like for Grandma Dottie behind the original counter. Following graduation from LaVeta High School, Dottie attended Colorado University in Boulder to graduate with a BS in Elementary Education. After graduation she traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico. She taught elementary school, while in Albuquerque, as she loved working with young children sharing her love for learning.
In 1958 a young gentleman, Harold Blach, who was an Air Force captain had a conversation with a fellow airman who thought Harold should meet his girl cousin, Dorothy. Harold was a little reluctant and thought hard about it. A weekend in Denver, they met and Harold thought they could make “sweet music” together! The Air Force captain convinced the southern mountain girl to marry him and move to the northeastern plains town of Yuma, Colorado. Harold and Dottie married July 30, 1960 in LaVeta, Colorado at Christ the King Catholic church. To this union two sons were born. David Franklin Blach on May 14, 1961 and Ronald Lee Blach on June 14, 1965.
Dottie remained a substitute teacher in the Yuma and Lone Star schools as she raised her boys and Harold on the farm north of Yuma. She was very active at Saint John’s Catholic Church, serving on the Liturgy Committee, Altar and Rosary Society, Northeast Colorado Deanery and as a catechism teacher for the youth of St John’s. She always reached out to visitors or new parishioners with a welcoming hand. Harold and Dorothy attended Marriage encounter and Cursillo retreats in the years of their devoted faith. Dottie shared her passion of life with Harold which was a strong faith in God, St John’s Church and family. Harold and Dorothy served as Eucharistic ministers for many years at St John’s. Dottie cherished going to church every Sunday with family and sharing a family meal together after mass.
Dottie was involved in the community as well as in Okihi Club of women, Yuma County Democratic Party, Women’s golf league at Hiplare Country Club, golfing into her early 80’s, and was a member of several bridge card clubs. One of the card clubs had three “Dorothy’s”, so nicknames of Dot, Dottie and Dorothy came to be in conversations at their regular gatherings. The Yuma Community Cupboard was Dottie’s commitment of enjoyment in helping people in need.
During their time on the 1887 Blach Homestead north of Yuma, the family received the Centennial farm award from the Colorado Department of Agriculture at the Colorado State fair in 1987 marking 100 years of farming and ranching in Colorado. Harold and Dorothy received the Bill Seward Memorial Award for their commitment to Yuma County over the years. A few years later Dottie received the Yuma County Conservation Cooperator of the Year award for the family’s continued commitment to stewardship and conservation of the land.
Dottie will forever be known for her precious smile, her gratitude for those who helped her in her time of need, even in her last days. Always making sure her grandkids and great grandkids knew that she was thankful for every visit and hug, even in her last days. The children made her smile and light up, leaving them with a message of be healthy and wise and saying goodbye with “Adios”
Dorothy Mae Blach, 93 years young went to rest on December 11, 2025 after listening to a meditation of the blessed rosary with family. Preceding her in death, Dottie lost her love Harold in 2019 on the way to church as they had 59 plus years of making “sweet music” together!
She is also preceded in death by her parents Louis and Alice Kopine, father and mother in-law Herman and Ella Blach, Brother in-law and wife Sherman and Joan Blach, Brother in-law Donald Blach, Sister in-law Bette Blach, Brother in-law and wife Leonard and Joanne Blach, Brother in-law Millard Blach, Brother in-law Dick Fillion, Brother in-law Carl Bates.
She is survived by Son, David and wife Karla Blach, Grandchildren, Jeremy Blach and wife Meghann; Adley, Kashton and Kaizley Blach, Jace Blach, Brittnee Blach Schaefer and husband Trent Schaefer; Maci and Greyson Schaefer, Jenner Blach. Son; Ronald and wife Lisa Blach, Conner Blach and wife Jenna; Leighton and Landrie Blach, Preston Blach and Shelby Blach. Sister in-laws, Bethine Fillion, Sherrill Blach and Colleen Bates.
A rosary was held on Monday, December 15, 2025, at St John’s Catholic Church in Yuma, Colorado at 6:30 pm. A celebration of life funeral mass for Dorothy Mae Blach was held at 10:00 am on December 16, 2025. The Knights of Columbus 4th Degree honor guards stood guard at the funeral mass and escorted Dorothy to her resting place in the Yuma Cemetery.