Barbara Marie Dollman, 82

Barbara Marie Dollman, a victim of Alzheimer's disease, died on Feb. 2, 2011, at Life Care Center in Post Falls, with her family at her side.

Barbara was born July 25, 1928, the first of eight children to Kathleen and Harold Schoenhofen in Minneapolis, Minn. Being raised during the Great Depression taught her two important lessons: How to do with less, and how to become productive. She learned to use a sewing machine in her early teens, a skill which served her and her family well for many years. By the age of 17 she helped her parents by making many of her own clothes.

She met her husband, Bill Dollman, in 1950 at a Catholic youth club in Hollywood, Calif. They married in 1951 and had four children: David, Marie, Theresa and Catherine. They made their first home in Van Nuys, Calif., and using her sewing skills made all the curtains, draperies and other beautiful "touches." Over the years they relocated five times, finally to Post Falls in 2005.

She and Bill shared many common interests, especially playing bridge, bowling and square dancing. Her biggest accomplishment was being a stay-at-home Mom until the last of the "kids" left the "nest." It was then, in 1977, that she became a business owner of her own flower and gift shop in Thousand Oaks, Calif., "Flowers by Barbara." When Bill retired in 1989, she sold the very successful business and they moved to Lake Tahoe, Nev., for 15 years, thence a final move to Post Falls.

She and Bill were both devout Catholics, and helped every parish they had moved to. She made church banners, joined in decorating for Easter, Christmas and other church festivities.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, and brothers, Bucky and Billy.

Survivors include her husband, Bill; her four children; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters Mary and Katy; and brothers Jim, Richard and Robert.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7, 2011, at St. George's Church in Post Falls.

"It's lonely here without you, and sad and weary the way,

Life has not been the same for us since you were called away.

Peaceful be your sleep, Beloved, ‘tis sweet to breathe your name.

We loved you very dearly in Life, in Death we do the same."