Dorothy Marie (Dierickx) Gunderson, 96, died peacefully Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Battle Lake Good Samaritan Center (resident since 2017).

Dorothy was born August 8, 1927 to Edward and Mary (Van Keulen) Dierickx in Ghent, Minn. When she was baptized at St. Eloi Catholic Church, her mother told her aunts to make sure that her middle name be Mary but when they returned, Dorothy had a second middle name of Rose. She was also confirmed at St. Eloi Church.

She attended St. Eloi Catholic School for eight years and then attended Marshall High School where she graduated in 1945. Following graduation, she worked at Farmers & Merchants Bank in Minneota as a teller and later president’s secretary. Dorothy received special training at night banking school in Marshall. She ended her career after 13 years when she got married. Back then women were not allowed to work at the bank if they were married. 

One winter storm day heading to work, her car got stuck and a gentlemen stopped by to help. Later she married that guy, George W. Gunderson of Minneota May 10, 1957. She jokingly said that “she married him for all of his overdrafts!”. They honeymooned at Yellowstone and got stranded in a snowstorm without anything in the glove compartment to eat. George said, “The next stop we’re stocking up.” Two children were born to this union: Janet and George E. (the 3rd).

Dorothy worked for Gunderson Construction Co. in Minneota as bookkeeper/ secretary until they moved in 1980 to their East Battle Lake lakehome near Vining. She continued being bookkeeper for Geo. W. Gunderson Const. for many years.

She enjoyed reading, being outside in her gardens and feeding birds; did crotcheting and sewing; and was known for her canned pickles. She was a good cook and baker especially her apple and lemon meringue pies. Dorothy made traditional Belgian waffle cookies as Christmas gifts to friends.

Her Catholic faith was strong, she attended mass and rosary at Good Sam. She was a member of St. Eloi Church in Ghent and St. Edward’s Catholic Churches in Minneota and Henning.

Dorothy was active in Minneota with Bridge Club, Country Club Golf Course, St. Edward’s Church and was a Boy Scout Den Mother; and in Vining she helped tie quilts at Vining Lutheran Church (known as “The Catholic Quilter”), Vining Watermelon Days and meeting the gals for coffee.

Preceded in death by her parents: Edward and Mary Dierickx; in-laws: George B. and Emma Gunderson; husband: George W. in 2012; siblings and spouses: Mildred (George) DeCramer and Harold (Gwen) Dierickx; sisters/brothers-in-law: Korrine (Clinton) Rasmusson, Phyllis (Kern) Donaldson, EmmyLou Hanson and Darlene Gunderson.

Survived by her children: George E. Gunderson of Vining and Janet (Steve “Woody”) Widness of Clitherall; fur grandkids: Finn, Molly and Sophie; brothers-in-law, Richard Hanson of Stillwater and Jon R. Gunderson of Ottertail; many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Visitation was one hour prior to service at 11 a.m.

Funeral Mass was Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Henning at 12 noon with Father George Michael officiating.

Music was provided by Paul Malecha, readings by Richard Miller, gifts by her nephew and wife, Don and Barb DeCramer; and urnbearer was her Godson, John DeCramer.

Burial was at St. Edward’s Catholic Church cemetery in Henning.

Glende-Nilson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Battle Lake was in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be made online at www.GlendeNilson.com.