Dorothy Chaplin was born October 13, 1917, to Carl and Jennie (Kessler) Fischer and grew up in Dunlap, Iowa. Dorothy graduated from Iowa Falls High School and received her teaching degree at Ellsworth Community College. On July 12, 1938, Dorothy married Leo G. Chaplin in Iowa Falls. After farming many years with Leo, who died in 1960, Dorothy started Mode O’Day store in Iowa Falls in June 1962 and later expanded the store into Dorothy’s fashions, a women’s clothing store, for 45 years and retired at the age of 90. Also during that time she was a librarian at Ellsworth Community College for 17 years. She loved books, reading and learning. She was an active member with the St. Mark’s Catholic Church, the Iowa Falls Chamber of Commerce, BPW (Business Professional Woman’s Club), Mary Lane Club, and Birthday Club. After Dorothy’s passing, her daughter Karen McLaughlin established the Dorothy Chaplin Endowed Scholarship in memory of her mother. Her children include: Karen McLaughlin, James Chaplin, Marion Chaplin and Janice Ball.