Dorothy A. Ziemer

Dorothy A. Ziemer, 91, wife of Emmet for 68 years, mother of 5, grandmother of 6, great-grandmother of 10, died peacefully with family at her side, Saturday, August 22, 2009 at the Wilmot Care Center.

Memorial services were Wednesday, August 26, at 11:00 a.m. at the Methodist Presbyterian Church in Browns Valley with Rev. Anna Williamson officiating. Music was provided by organist Neoma Ballhagen and vocalist Phyllis Saxton.

Burial will be at a later date in the Valley View Cemetery, Browns Valley. Urn bearer was Shirley Davidson.

Dorothy was born to Arthur and Alma (Dahlquist) Spencer February 6, 1918, on the family farm in rural Beardsley, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at the Beardsley Methodist Church.

Dorothy and Emmet Ziemer were married March 11, 1941 at the Spencer farm in Beardsley. They farmed first in Becker Township and then in 1951 they bought the Ziemer homestead. Dorothy and Emmet remained together on this farm from 1951 until 2006 at which time Dorothy entered the Wilmot Care Center.

Dorothy and Emmet raised five children, Darlene, Diane, Eugene, Jolene and Janice on the farm. Dorothy loved the farm and worked side by side with Emmet throughout the years.

Dorothy enjoyed traveling and the Sunday afternoon drives they took each week. In 1976, she made an unforgettable trip to Sweden with her mother and sisters. She enjoyed meeting her Swedish family and experiencing her heritage.

During her life she was a member of the Methodist Church, making crafts and pies for each bazaar. Dorothy was also a member of the Jolly Homemakers Club for over four decades. She gained a lifelong "sisterhood" with each member and often spoke of her cherished memories.

Dorothy began working outside of the farm in 1972 at Dakotah in Browns Valley, Sisseton and Webster. She was a talented seamstress before joining Dakotah, but here she found a new love, that of making quilts.

Dorothy has made over 1000 quilts sharing these precious keepsakes with each of our family generations. The quilts are keeping loved ones warm across the country and the world. Dorothy was never a bragger, but she was proud of her quilts (as she should have been).

Dorothy took great joy in being the best wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother she could be. She loved each of us deeply and she was deeply loved.

Survivors include her husband Emmet Ziemer of Browns Valley; four children, Darlene (Wally) Fischer of Groton, SD, Diane (Dale) Bartz of Marshall, MN, Janice (Michael) Beck of Eden Prairie, MN, and Jolene (Eric) Goodrich of Royalton, MN; six grandchildren, Kelle (Tammy) Hein, Todd (Kim) Bartz, Ty (Betsy) Bartz, Cody (Shari) Jarman, Taylor Beck, and Heidi Goodrich; twelve great-grandchildren; sister, Phyllis (Phil) Lacher of Clitherall, MN; and special friends, Dodie Roark and Dorothy Vosberg.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Eugene Ziemer; a sister, Doris Partisan; and a grandson, Kent Hein.