Dorothy Bernice ( Johnsrud ) Magelssen died peacefully on Monday, February 20, 2017 at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah, Iowa. A graveside service will be scheduled in early April at East Freeborn Lutheran Church Cemetery in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Her gravesite is next to her husband of 61 years, Johannes Christian Magelssen. Fjelstul Funeral Home is serving the family.
Dorothy was born March 7, 1923 at her home in Freeborn County, the third of eight children to her parents Bernhard and Clara ( Stadheim ) Johnsrud. Growing up on her family’s farm, she shared the many daily duties of farm life with her siblings and parents. She attended her local country school, walking 4 – 5 miles daily during the school year, regardless of the weather, through the eighth grade. Then, encouraged by her father, she attended high school in Albert Lea, graduating in the class of 1941. A modest, humble country girl, in her senior year she was elected Homecoming Queen at Albert Lea High School; the first Homecoming Queen at the school who was not a city girl.
The following year she married Johannes Christian Magelssen, the son of her pastor Finn Magelssen at East Freeborn Lutheran Church on June 25th, 1942. A few months following their marriage, Johannes was deployed to Europe serving in the U.S. Army during WW II. With great joy, Dorothy greeted her husband’s safe return from the war in December, 1945 with their daughter Ruth Marie. It was the first time Johannes had seen their precious daughter who was born during his deployment.
During Johannes’ deployment, Dorothy joined several of her high school girlfriends, forming a support group with other young women whose spouses and loved ones were deployed during WW II. Calling themselves the ” Sewing Club” , they met regularly and following the war continued to be very closely bonded in friendship for the remainder of their lives.
Dorothy’s children remember fondly her example of the importance of family and thinking of others before oneself. She provided a loving home and was a true example with her quiet and unfailing Christian faith throughout her life’s journey. Her faithful commitment in caring for her disabled husband for 36 years prior to his death in 2003 and daily expression of optimism despite those challenges was a true inspiration to all. Her family now rejoices that she is home with her Lord.
Dorothy is survived by her three children: Ruth (Dennis) Green of Decorah, Iowa, David (Penelope) Magelssen of Blaine, Washington, and Mark (Liane) Magelssen of Lihue, Hawaii; ten grandchildren: Cathy (Mike) Reicks, Michele (Ben) MacLennan, Michael Green, Finn (Stacie) Magelssen, Faith (Will) Walker, Ruth Magelssen, Noelle (David) Lau, Marie (Matt) Gutierrez, Joy (Drew) Monahan, Kristen (Dylan) Payne; twenty-one great –randchildren; and her four siblings: Harriet Menke of Bancroft, IA, Cora Arnold of Owatonna, MN, Janet (Herman) Stenga of Soldotna, AK and Barbara (Ron Verdoorn) Schultz of Victoria, MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Johannes Christian Magelssen on December 21, 2003; siblings Edith (Damon) Schulenberg, Lila (Victor) Glantz, Bernhard ( Donna) Johnsrud; brothers-in-law John Menke, Deryl Arnold, Leo Schultz; and grandson Jens David Magelssen on August 18, 2014.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to Aase Haugen Senior Services, 4 Ohio Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101.
Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family.
Please remember in prayer the family of Dorothy Magelssen, Good Shepherd member. There will be a graveside service for Dorothy in early April at East Freeborn Lutheran Church Cemetery in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
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