Dorothy Marie Sittig

Dorothy M. Sittig, age 92, of Baltic, passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at Dow Rummel in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM Monday, October 16, 2023, at Baltic Lutheran Church in Baltic. Interment will be in the East Nidaros Lutheran Cemetery, rural Baltic. Visitation will be from 4-6:00 PM Sunday, at Baltic Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Baltic Lutheran Church or East Nidaros Lutheran Cemetery.

Dorothy Marie (Wold) Sittig was born on January 25, 1931, to C. Oscar and Belva (Tidemann) Wold of Crooks, SD, joining older brother Roger.  In 1935, Oscar bought Midway Station on old Highway 77 (Hwy 115).  The family moved to the living quarters behind the Station and lived there until they built the house on the hill near the station when Dorothy was in high school.  A self-described “station brat,” she grew up hanging around all the people who gathered there.

She attended Sverdrup country school and graduated from Baltic High School in 1948 at 17.  She was Homecoming Queen, Valedictorian, and made lifelong friends.  She was especially close to her Tidemann cousins and enjoyed all the family gatherings at the farm.  After high school, she attended Augustana College for one year, and then worked at office jobs including Sioux Falls Wholesale until starting a family.  In later years, she worked in the Baltic School kitchen, the Baltic Branch Library, and sold Avon for several years.

Dorothy met the love of her life, Don Sittig, at the Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls, where they had a standing booth for years.  They were married at East Nidaros Lutheran Church on July 21, 1950, and were married for 55 years until Don’s death in 2005.  They enjoyed dancing, movies, bowling leagues & tournaments, and playing cards.

Shortly after daughter Debbie was born in 1954, Don and Dorothy moved to Baltic where they made their home for life and became active in the community.  They added to their family with son Bob in 1956; daughter Holly in 1961; and son Brian in 1966.  Their lives revolved around their children and grandchildren, and they were so happy that the kids settled in the area with their families, being able to celebrate family milestones and frequent get togethers.  They followed Baltic sports and belonged to two Whist clubs, one for over 40 years.  As Don’s health failed in later years, Dorothy was his caregiver and support as their life shifted to having coffee and visitors at home.  After Don’s death, Dorothy continued to live in Baltic until October of 2022 when she moved to Dow Rummel Assisted Living in Sioux Falls and recently into nursing care.  She enjoyed her friends and the staff there and had frequent visits from family and old friends.

Dorothy had a strong faith and was an active member of Baltic Lutheran Church, WELCA, and Circles.  She loved the after-church coffees and often ate two bars!  She was a loving and patient wife, mother, and grandmother, and was thrilled to welcome her first great grandchild this summer!  Dorothy was a dear friend to many.  She loved to read, listen to music, and do crossword puzzles.  She liked to eat and often would position herself near the snacks at parties.  She was especially known for her sense of humor and her ability to laugh at herself.

She passed away in her sleep on October 10, 2023, at Dow Rummel.  The family is grateful to the staff there at Dow and to Ascera Hospice.

Dorothy is survived by her children Deb Sittig, Baltic; Bob (Ann) Sittig, Baltic; Holly Swenson, Brandon; Brian (Betsy) Sittig, Sioux Falls; grandchildren Jacob Sittig, Sioux Falls; Tom ( Steph) Sittig, Aurora, CO.; Molly (Zach) Gors, Sioux Falls; Sam Sittig, Brookings; Lucas Swenson, Sioux Falls; Ellie (Bryce) Rolenc, Lincoln, NE; Becca Sittig, Sioux Falls; great grandson Cohen Gors, Sioux Falls; sister-in-law Rhoda Wold; nieces Sharon Lubeck, Mary Lohnes; extended family and more good friends than can be named.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Don, his parents, Emily and August Sittig; son-in-law Bobby Swenson, Jr.; brother Roger Wold; brother & sister-in-law Harold and Tressie Sittig; nephews Jeff Wold and Bud Sittig.