Dorothy Shefchik

Dorothy Louella (Carlson) Shefchik, 94, of Duluth, passed away peacefully at her home overlooking Lake Superior on June 26, 2016. Dorothy was born in Duluth on January 18, 1922, to Sperling and Edythe Carlson. Dorothy was a warm, witty, smart, strong, graceful and beautiful woman who gave unselfishly of her time, love and energy to her family, many friends and civic organizations. Dorothy was a 1940 graduate of Denfeld High School, where she was on the staff of the newspaper and yearbook. She received junior college and business school degrees, and married architect, pilot and bandleader Thomas J. Shefchik, Jr., in 1946. While raising three children in the house Tom designed on Greysolon Road, Dorothy became a devoted volunteer, serving on the Friends of the Library Board, the Children’s Home Society Board, and the No. 35 Highway Committee that helped build the Rose Garden and Duluth Lakewalk. She was president of the St. Luke’s Hospital Volunteer Board, chairman of the St. Luke’s Hospital gift shop, and voted Volunteer of the Year by the Duluth Junior League. Befitting her lifelong sense of fashion, Dorothy was featured in many style shows for civic organizations, and worked for a number of years at Punchinello, a downtown Duluth children’s clothing store. She was a member of the Kitchi Gammi Club, Northland Country Club and the Hillsboro Club of Florida. A wonderful cook and gracious entertainer, she loved sports of all kinds, and was active in tennis, skiing and golf. Dorothy’s favorite song was "Unforgettable," which could easily have been written about her. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 56 years, Tom; her sister, Marjorie Sievers; and son-in-law, Robert Pratt. She is survived by her sons Mark (Lauri) Shefchik and Rick (Barbara Lundgren) Shefchik, and her daughter Lisa Pratt; her brother, Graydon Carlson; her grandchildren Tom, Dan and Beth Shefchik; Claire and David Shefchik; Anna (Chad) Sandquist, Betsy (Adam) Maus and Jennifer (Ben) Bradley; and four great-grandchildren. Her family would like to thank her care-giver, Mary Jane Hendrickson, and Mary’s family team. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society. Gathering of Family and friends: 11 a.m. Friday, July 1, at the Kitchi Gammi Club, 831 E. Superior St., Duluth.