Dorothy "Dode" Jane Olafson Obituary (1933

Dorothy Olafson, a fourth generation Washingtonian, "Dode" was a descendent of a family with a legacy of accomplishments. Her great grandfather Charles Worthington Chamberlin ("Doc") arrived by wagon learning the trade of barbering and dentistry along the way to become the first dentist in the Washington Territory as well as serving in the Territorial government. Her grandfather, Reidar Rovig was mayor of Yakima who stood up to the KKK. Her father Jack, known for his comedic timing and sense of humor, ran the family business Rovig Fuel and Artificial Ice, but as a "Golden Gloves" boxing champion took out one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted with a single blow at the ripe age of 70. Her life was just as colorful. A high school debate champion, ski racer and ice skater headed to the Ice Capades, when an injury change the course of her life. Following in the footsteps of many generations of family women, she headed to the University of Washington to study accounting and join Alpha Phi sorority before returning home. Her first job at a local bank convinced her that she had chosen the wrong field of study as she really didn't care when she couldn't find the missing penny in the bank tally sheets. After WWII, her father and 4 others formed a group to recreationally use surplus Jeeps. Locally known as the Ridge Runners, they provided support for search and rescue operations which attracted national press. When the group voted Dode as their first 'Miss Ridge Runner', she was pictured in Life magazine as the "Queen of Mud". She loved cycling and scootering the local ridges and mountains, undertaking extensive treks across the Cascades, even cycling the Yakima Canyon and up to Snoqualmie Pass. With her first husband, she was a founding member of the Yakima Tennis Club and the Yakima Ski Club, where she named the original ski runs including Cascade, Holiday, Roller Coaster, Mach 5 and Execution. In work with the Allied Arts Council, she was Chairman of the conversion committee of Gilbert Warehouse to a theater and was involved with many productions, both as an actress or a stagehand. As part of her volunteer services, she was Chairman of the Junior Aid Ball held at the Chinook Hotel raising many thousands of dollars in support of community activities. She participated for many years in the Junior Aid Follies, often part of the precision dance portion of the show. Known for her style, she was often a model for fashion shows. Predicted to be the trend of the future, the "It's a Mad Mad Mad World" production demonstrated paper dresses which she strode the runway with flair. The concept of disposable clothing held no appeal for her, but she had fun with the wild prints and concepts. She was a longtime member of the Leslie Loudon Guild and served as president. Trained by Louis Fortin, she was one of the few women pilots in Northwest and to maintain her flight hours made "blood runs" for the Red Cross. Founder of Studio Ten gallery in the late 60's, it was a collaborative venture, a concept ahead of its time. With artist friend Bill Donaldson Robertson, they opened a dress shop in downtown Yakima called Price Tag while also selling 'doo dads' for the Kurt Adler Company of NY. Her primary career was an Interior Designer for Schultz Furniture, having influenced many local homes and businesses until her retirement in 1998. An accomplished Life Master duplicate bridge player, she taught bridge at YVC. Traveling the world with her husband and daughter, she had unique experiences including attending a wedding in Argentina with the future Pope Francis officiating and spending several nights in the deep jungle of the Amazon. While living "just down the street", Dode received the award for "Coming the farthest" for her 50th high school reunion after navigating a refugee camp and airport bedlam to fly out of Europe on the first flight after 9/11 to ensure her attendance. Her first husband, Jack Nettleship, died in a plane crash in 1973. Her second husband of 44 years, Carson Olafson, died in 2019. She is survived by her sister JoAnn Rovig of Des Moines, WA and her 3 children, Suzan Nettleship of Yakima, Reidar Nettleship of Temecula, CA and Curtis Nettleship sailing The Seven Seas and 3 grandchildren, Kaelan Nettleship of New York City, Fiona Nettleship in South Carolina and Jackson Nettleship who is travelling the world as a much sought after videographer. She died peacefully at home on October 29th at age 91. A memorial service is planned for the spring.