Dorothy Erlandson

Dorothy Erlandson, age 101, died on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017 at Good Samaritan Center in Albert Lea. There will be a memorial service at 10:00 am on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service or following the service at the church.  A private burial will be held at Graceland Cemetery.

Dorothy May Erlandson was born August 15, 1916 in New Rockford, ND, the daughter of Anton and Josephine (Wheelon) Hawkinson. She was a graduate of New Rockford High School and North Dakota State University where, in 1938, she received her BS in Home Economics. On July 1, 1939, she married the love of her life, Ralph O. Erlandson, in New Rockford, ND and they settled in Albert Lea, MN where Ralph owned a John Deere dealership. During her span of 78 years in Albert Lea, Dorothy has contributed her energy and commitment to many organizations including the Republican Party, AAUW, the YMCA and she was a Charter Member of PEO CV. Her interest in the stock market led her to begin a womens investment group, WIG. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church serving as both Elder and Deacon and enjoying her Bible studies. She also supported her daughter Jeannie’s special needs with her involvement in ARC and Spire. In addition to her community activities, Dorothy will be fondly remembered for her warm hospitality and love of entertaining. She loved to be in the kitchen cooking great dishes or in the garden tending her flowers. She was a wonderful inspiration to her family and will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

Survivors include children: son Ralph (Roe) and his wife Deanna Erlandson of Oro Valley, AZ; son Kent and his wife Sue Erlandson of Albert Lea; and daughter Nancy Herter and her husband Lendall Smith of Portland, ME. Dorothy is also survived by her 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Erlandson, daughter Jeannie Erlandson, and her parents and two sisters, Fran and Gen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the First Presbyterian Church or ARC of Freeborn County.