DOROTHY J. (MAGNUSON) FURLONG

June 17, 1925 - Aug. 22, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Dorothy June Furlong passed away Wednesday, August 22, 2012, at 2:15 pm. Dorothy was a first generation American, born to Swedish immigrants Swan and Cora Magnuson at the "Home Place Farm" in Reno County, south of Hutchinson, Kansas. She was the youngest of fourteen children.

After her father's death in 1934, Dorothy, her mother and three brothers moved to South Bend, Indiana, to live near family members who had come to the area for work.

Dorothy graduated from South Bend John Adams High School in 1943.

After graduation, she and her brother moved their mother back to Kansas, as Cora wanted to go home for the last time. Shortly after returning to Kansas, Dorothy met and fell in love with Keen A. Furlong, who was stationed in the U.S. Navy in Hutchinson. The two were married only four months after they met. Dorothy was seventeen years old. Once married, Keen & Dorothy moved to Donora, PA, to live with Keen's parents while he finished his Navy Aviation duty. After Keen graduated from Pharmacy school, he and Dorothy visited some of her family in South Bend. During that trip Keen accepted a job offer, and they moved to Mishawaka and later to South Bend. In later years, they purchased their own drug store, which had the last full soda fountain. Dorothy and Keen were co-owners of the Furlong's River Park Pharmacy in the River Park area of South Bend from 1966 to 1976. They were co-owners of the Spice of Life Ltd., a coffee and tea retail business, from 1975 to 2008. They also owned a Coffee Espresso Cart at St. Joseph Medical Center, South Bend. Dorothy spent many hours working at these businesses, and truly enjoyed her interaction with the public. Dorothy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt to all who ever knew her. She was very proud of her Swedish heritage.

Both of her parents and all of her brothers and sisters preceded Dorothy in death.

Dorothy is survived by husband, Keen; three daughters, Vikkie (Frank) Verteramo of South Bend, Karren (Tom) Wcisel of Naperville, IL, and Jeralyn (John) Corey of Myrtle Beach, SC; and son, Robert (Kim) Furlong of South Bend. Dorothy was also blessed with twelve grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces spanning over generations. More than anything, Dorothy enjoyed spending time with and doing all she could for all her family. Dorothy will be missed greatly by all whose lives she has touched.

A celebration of her long, wonderful life, led by Robert Puhr, will be 11:00 am Monday, August 27, 2012, in Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend. Graveside services and burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 - 5:00 pm today, August 26th, in the funeral home. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Alzheimer's & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, 922 E. Colfax Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617. Online condolences may be left for the Furlong family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.