Dorothea “Dottie” Goembel, 93, formerly of Magnolia, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, at Parkview Manor in Ellsworth.
A gathering of family and friends was Sunday, Jan. 2, with prayers and sharing of memories at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne.
Dorothea Marietta Leicher was born June 28, 1922, to Robert and Edith (Fugate) Leicher in Luverne. She was raised in Luverne and graduated from Luverne High School in 1940.
On July 4, 1941, Dottie married Ted Anderson in Luverne. The couple divorced in 1967, and a couple of years later Dottie moved to California to live and work. In 1975 she returned to Rock County where she operated a café in Magnolia.
On Nov. 4, 1978, Dottie married Leon Goembel. The couple made their home on the farm near Magnolia. Through her years, Dottie worked at various businesses, including George’s Bakery and Myhre Studio. The couple later retired and moved to Poplar Creek in Luverne before moving to the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in July 2010. Leon preceded her in death on March 24, 2012. Dottie remained at the home until August 2013, when she moved to Parkview Manor in Ellsworth.
Dottie participated in a variety of Christian denominations. She was a member of Royal Neighbors. Until her sight became impaired, Dottie enjoyed sewing, knitting and crocheting dolls. She also enjoyed writing poetry.
Dottie is survived by eight children, Stephanie (Gary) Frackman, Anchorage, Alaska, Juli (Cal) Kuipers, North Mankato, Wendy (Richard) Grill, Luverne, Danial (Becky) Anderson, Larchwood, Iowa, Stephen (Donna) Anderson, Lindon, Utah, Thomas (Ronny) Anderson, Chandler, Arizona, and Barbara Wise, Grand Junction, Colorado; five stepchildren; 27 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon; a daughter, Michelle Perkins; a son, James Anderson; her parents, Bob and Edith Leicher; four sisters, Roberta Leicher, Ann Hollaren, Theo Bickford and Mary Leicher; and one brother, James Leicher.
Arrangements were by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
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