Dorothy J. Gassett — Cresco, Iowa

Dorothy June (Foster) Gassett, of Cresco, Iowa, passed away on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco. Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco. Burial will be at a later date in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Lime Springs, Iowa.

Dorothy was born on June 9, 1925, in Fillmore County, the daughter of Major and Laura (LeFevere) Foster. She attended rural elementary schools and graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1942. After high school, she worked in the office of the Spring Valley Creamery.

On Dec. 14, 1945, she married Neil L. Gassett at her parents' home near Spring Valley. They initially farmed near Schley and later moved to a farm northeast of Lime Springs until moving to Lime Springs in September 1981. Dorothy and Neil had two daughters, Judy and Jean.

Dorothy was a lifelong member of the Lime Springs Methodist church. She served as secretary to the pastor for some time, was active and supportive of church activities, especially when her girls were involved. Dorothy was also a member of the Friends of Forestville, a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and helping historic Forestville and Forestville State Park in southeastern Minnesota. She had a great interest in learning, especially history, and had an extraordinary memory.

Dorothy worked for 20 years at Jones' Meat Market in Lime Springs, retiring in 1991.

Dorothy is survived by one daughter, Jean (Bill) Stopperan of Windsor, Colo., son-in-law, Will Pietersen of Farmington, Minn., six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren ,as well as six nephews and a niece and their families.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Neil, and daughter, Judy (Gassett) Pietersen, as well as brothers, Kenneth Foster and Winfield Foster, and sister, Eleanor (Foster) Gassett.

Special thanks to all the staff who lovingly cared for Dorothy at Evans Memorial Home for more than two years and also to all of her special forever friends who visited, brought treats and prayed for her constantly. You will always be treasured.

Memorials in Dorothy's name may be given to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Lime Springs or the aviary in the bird room of Evans Memorial Home.