Obituary of Ola Grace Dahlgren

OLA GRACE DAHLGREN Ola Grace Dahlgren, 83, of Lodi, entered into rest on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 at a Lodi hospital, after a long illness. She was born Ola Grace Emrich, the daughter of John Jacob Emerich and Ida Gladys Long Emerich, on January 5, 1920 in Union County, Ohio. Ola Grace grew up in Ohio, where she attended local schools. After graduating from high school, she attended the Springfield Business College and trained as a secretary and administrative assistant. Upon completion of her business career training, she went to work for Crowell Collier Publishing Company in Springfield, where she worked as a secretary for about 10 years. A few years later she moved to Fresno, California. She worked a variety of jobs, including clerical, secretarial and professional photography. She came to Lodi in the late 1950's and made her home here. She worked as an "Avon Lady" selling cosmetics for about 35 years before retiring. Mrs. Dahlgren was a long time member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lodi. She was a talented artist, who enjoyed painting oils, acrylics and watercolors. She was quite the baseball connoisseur and a devoted San Francisco Giants fan. Mrs. Dahlgren was known for her kindness and compassion. She truly enjoyed spending good times in the presence of family and friends. She is survived by two sisters: Cleo B. Kirst and Julia Ashbaugh, both of Lodi; a brother, Joseph Emrich of London, Ohio; and several nieces, nephews and other loving relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, M.L. Dahlgren; two brothers, Arthur and Henry Emrich; and one sister, Helen Hite. Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 6, 2003 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1845 S. Ham Lane in Lodi. Pastor Steve Willweber, officiating. Interment will be at Lodi Memorial Cemetery, 5150 E. Pine Street in Lodi. Visitations will be on Saturday, October 4 from 1 PM to 6 PM, and on Sunday, October 5 from 9 AM to 6 PM at Lodi Funeral Home, 725 S. Fairmont Avenue in Lodi. A virtual register book can be signed by visiting www.lodifuneral.com, where family and friends can share their memories and view a virtual memorial picture board. To honor her memory, memorial contributions can be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 1845 S. Ham Lane, Lodi, CA 95242, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Lodi Funeral Home is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.