Dorothy J. Nelson

Dorothy J. Nelson died peacefully at her home in Lakota, ND on Friday, September 11, 2009 . She was 82.

Dorothy Jean Rosenberger was born on April 3, 1927, in Sarles, North Dakota, to Eddie and Esther Rowena (Robson) Rosenberger. The family moved to the Lakota area in 1932, living at the Pioneer Farm with the Wm and Elsie Robson family. The Rosenberger family then lived at the Foster Farm, running a dairy and farming, before buying the Alwin Farm just south of Lakota on Hwy 1. Dorothy traveled on horse drawn sleighs in the winter to attend first through seventh grades at the Wamduska School north of Stump Lake. She graduated from Lakota High School in 1945, and in 1949 earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietary Sciences from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. On December 6, 1952, Dorothy married Earl Nelson and they settled in Mapes, ND. The family moved to Lakota in 1959. Dorothy was a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ in Lakota, and its treasurer for 55 years; she participated in the Order of the Eastern Star for many years. Her boundless energy found an outlet on the Lakota Park Board in the late '60's-'70's when the tennis and basketball courts and playground equipment were funded during her tenure. Also during this time, Dorothy worked with many parents and coaches in founding and then managing the first girls softball team for Lakota. Dorothy was employed as Nelson County Deputy Auditor for 20 years, retiring in 1999. Her family was her passion and Dorothy shared her adventurous, athletic and musical spirit with her daughters by teaching them to water ski and play ball in the summer, to hold on tightly to the toboggan while being towed behind the family station wagon in the winter, and insisting on piano, clarinet, trombone and trumpet lessons. With meticulous attention to detail in every endeavor, Dorothy was an accomplished seamstress, sewing most of the clothing for her young daughters and (happily, the youngsters thought) completing new cheerleading outfits for them year after year. Last year, she was so happy to be asked and then to help sew the curtains that now hang in Les Ferry's Wamduska Schools site north of Stump Lake. Many have enjoyed her cooking, which included produce from her annual garden and her (award winning) baked goods, especially her cake donuts, pies, cookies and rhubarb sauce. Dorothy had a knack for quick calculation and rarely would (younger) family members win at card games; she was a member of Bridge clubs and foursomes for decades. Another interest was her family genealogy and her photographs span 70 years. Dorothy enjoyed travel, the companionship of her dog (always rescuing the shelter dog or homeless one) and watching all sports, in particular the Minnesota Twins, girls basketball and softball, and pro basketball. She thoroughly enjoyed her home and yard, her many friends in the area and across the country, and the caring community of Lakota for 77 years.

Dorothy will be deeply missed by her three daughters, Roxanne (Dale) Boelz, Wilton, ND, Lori Nelson (Bill Rivas), Lakota, ND, and Jeri (Mark) Rue, Floyds Knobs, IN; brother, Dr Eugene (Ginny) Rosenberger, Silver Spring, MD; grandchildren, Bob Boelz, Terri Boelz, Matt Rue, and Evan Rue; nephews, Dr Randy Rosenberger, Chip Rosenberger, and Monte Rosenberger; and many cousins. She was predeceased by her parents and an infant great-grandson.

The Funeral Service for Dorothy will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 11:00AM at the United Church of Christ in Lakota, with Rev. Sue Mackey officiating. The organist will be Ellen Pederson and the soloist will be Jason Flom. Interment will be in the Lakota Cemetery . The casketbearers will be Bill Rivas, Mark Rue, Matt Rue, Evan Rue, Dale Boelz, Bob Boelz, and Terri Boelz. Honorary bearers will be Warren Ferguson, Bob Ferguson, Glenn Fossen, Wally Johnson, Bill Solberg, Les Ferry, and Lynn Schroeder. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Monday, September 14, 2009 from 3:00 p.m. . until 7:00 p.m. and will continue at the church on Tuesday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.