Dorothy Marie Dickerson

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Dorothy Marie Dickerson, age 97, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Colton, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2013, at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls. A Celebration of Life will begin at 11 am Friday, December 27, 2013, at the Colton United Methodist Church. Visitation with the family present will be from 6-8 pm Thursday, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Colton.

Dorothy Marie Dickerson was born on March 9, 1916 in Orland Township near Franklin, SD, to Henry and Margaret (Weber) Wessel. From age 11 months, she was raised by her grandparents, John and Addie Weber, but spent time with her parents and siblings during the summer months. She attended the Franklin Consolidated School for 12 years, graduating as salutatorian of her class of 1933. She married Clem Dickerson on her 21st birthday, March 9, 1937. Early in their marriage her jobs consisted of ironing, housecleaning, and cooking. She raised three children while keeping a large garden, canning the produce, and sewing clothes. Later she independently did wallpapering and interior painting. Sometimes she hired a small crew to help with larger jobs. This led to painting and finishing the woodwork on the homes Clem built.

Dorothy was a member of the Colton United Methodist Church, where she was active in the UMW, Circle, directed the children’s choir and taught Vacation Bible School. She was the leader of the Greenleaf 4-H Club for 15 years. As a 59 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, she held many offices and amazed everyone with her memorization and knowledge of conducting the ceremonies.

Throughout her life, she enjoyed many activities. Playing the piano, doing word puzzles, playing games and cards, reading, watching ball games, traveling, gardening and dancing are just a few. She also had many talents such as quilting, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, cross-stitch and pie-making.

Dorothy loved to travel and it was a large part of her retired life. For several years, Clem and Dorothy traveled with the 5th wheel Clem built. Together they traveled to all 50 states, including a trip to Hawaii on their 50th anniversary. After Clem’s death, she continued her travels outside of the US to Canada, Mexico, Europe and England. The shelves in her home displayed numerous souvenirs and mementos from her travels. While traveling, she kept meticulous notes, journals and scrapbooks.

She had an adventurous spirit and loved to have fun. Taking the back roads, swinging at the park, going on a boat or train ride and sleeping in a cabin on a cliff‘s edge were just a few of her favorites. At the age of 74, she climbed Cowboy Mountain outside of Hill City, SD. For her 80th birthday, she took a hot air balloon ride.

She lived in Colton in the same home for 62 years. At the age of 89, she moved to Sunnycrest Retirement Village in Sioux Falls where she continued to live independently. After nine years at Sunnycrest, she went to Dow Rummel Assisted Living, where she spent her last 19 days.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children: Don (Mary) Dickerson, of Brandon, SD, and Lois (Ron) Qualseth, of Sioux Falls; daughter-in-law, Mary Dickerson, Dell Rapids, SD; eleven grandchildren: Alan (Donna) Dickerson, Casper, WY, Cindy Dickerson, Sioux Falls, Cristy (Mike) Appel, Pipestone, MN, Scott (Susan) Dickerson, Coarsegold, CA, Dean Dickerson, Gillette, WY, Trina (Tom) Kirkvold, Des Moines, IA, Delana (Scott) Ihrke, LeMars, IA, Darrin (Christi) Dickerson, Ellston, IA, Sheila (Scott) Finch, Brandon, Shon (Mollie) Qualseth, Lawrence, KS, and Ryan (Elizabeth) Qualseth, Tea; 20 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren and one on the way; and a sister, Beverly Emmett, White, SD. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clem; son, Lyle; grandson, Kelly; 5 sisters and 2 brothers.

Memorials may be directed to the Colton United Methodist Church.