Dorothy Gutzmer

Dorothy M. Gutzmer, 95, Claire City, SD, passed away Saturday, July 9, 2016, at the Northeast Care and Rehabilitation Center in Rosholt, SD.

Funeral services will be Friday, July 15, at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Claire City with Rev. Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett officiating. Music will be provided by Crystal Kemnitz.

Burial will be in the Claire City Cemetery, Claire City. Pallbearers will be Brent Wolfe, Verne Wolfe, Harold Joe Wolfe, Levi Schellberg and Kyle Schellberg.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt. Visitation will continue Friday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Dorothy Marie (Ercink) Gutzmer, daughter of Joe and Anna (Hillestad) Ercink, was born February 21, 1921, in Claire City. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on May 17, 1936. She attended school in Claire City until her sophomore year and graduated from Sisseton High School in 1939. Dorothy went on to Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen for one year and then taught in rural schools.

On December 17, 1946, Dorothy married Henry Gutzmer. They were blessed with two children, John and Jeanne. After teaching many years in rural schools, Dorothy returned to school and received her bachelor of science degree in elementary education in 1970 and taught in Claire City until 1981.

Survivors include her grandchildren, Doug (Tammy Johnson) Gutzmer of New Effington, SD, Rhonda Schellberg of Bellingham, MN, Deanna (Adam Perry) Gutzmer of New Effington, and Tina Gutzmer; and great-grandchildren, Levi and Kyle Schellberg, Kaydence Perry and Taylor Cloud.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; and children, John and Jeanne.