"Dorothy and I became friends through our Bible study group and through St. Paul's Church in Lewiston. At Bible study we usually sat right next to each other. She was so wise and she also was so fun to be with. I looked forward to our times together. Dorothy was always so supportive. After my Mom died, she would always be just an e-mail away. I could tell her things and she would offer Motherly advice. We all are going to miss her so much. I know she is in Heaven, and she must have had the most glorious Christmas ever. Good-bye my dear friend. "
In loving memory of
Dorothy Anne Pollema
December 15, 2010 - December 15, 2010
HOFF FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICE, LEWISTON, MINN. 507-523-2277
LEWISTON, MINN. - Dorothy Anne Pollema, 71, of Lewiston, Minn. died on Wednesday, December 15, at Gundersen - Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis.
Dorothy was born on December 3, 1939, in Winona, Minn. to Herman and Helen Maxine (Elliott) Pollema. She was raised in Lewiston. As a child her mother was moved to the nursing home. At that time Dorothy moved to the home of her great-aunt and uncle, Bertha and Herman Zander, where she was lovingly raised. Dorothy graduated from Lewiston High School. She received her bachelor's degree in journalism from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. Dorothy worked for the Rochester Post Bulletin as the area editor. She then attended and graduated from Winona State University with a bachelor's degree in education. Dorothy taught at Dover-Eyota Schools from 1968, until the time of her retirement. She lived In Lewiston for the majority of her life. She was an active member of St. Paul's Church where she was the leader of the prayer chain. Dorothy was also a member of a local card club, retired teacher's group, and Sunshine Chapter of the Order of The Eastern Star in St. Charles. She enjoyed online friends and games, spending time with a large group of local friends, and especially her cats. Dorothy loved her family and was an extended member of many of her friend's families.
She is survived by her brother, David (Joanie) Pollema of St. Charles; niece and nephews, Linda (Patrick) Beck, and Jack and Rick Pollema; great niece and nephew Michelle and Jim Beck; and sister-in-law, Marian Pollema.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, brother, John Pollema, and great-aunt and uncle, Bertha and Herman Zander.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 20, at St. Paul's UCC/ELCA Church in Lewiston with the Rev. Leah Cook McDowell officiating. Burial will be in the Lewiston Public Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 t0 5:00 p.m. on Sunday at St. Paul's Church and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to be directed to the St. Paul's Church or to the Winona County Humane Society.
Leave a memory, sign her online guestbook and view her tribute video when it becomes available online at www.hofffuneral.com
Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service, Lewiston is assisting the family with funeral arrangement
Tribute video can be found at: http://videos.lifetributes.com/183059
Tributes
"I have many fond memories of Dorothy from our years in highschool. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. An old friend, Audrey Gilbert"
"Dorothy was my friend & my lady she was such a great lady& i was grateful to have know her whenwe were on the computer when we were goingff she would alway sayto me see you. andwhen we did not see each other for a few days we would call each other say miss you she certainly being miss by all Missing you see you lady"
"I was so lucky to have Miss Pollema as my first grade teacher. She greeted us every morning with a smile and great enthusiasm. She was very passionate and dedicated to helping each and every student that passed through her classroom year after year. You will be forever remembered in my heart. God bless."
"Miss Pollema touched so many lives as a teacher. She brought literacy to hundreds. I can still see her sitting behind the 1/2 circle table as we went around reading sentences. My library card has wear marks, thank you Miss Pollema."
"I had the good fortune to have Miss Pollema for my first grade teacher. She was such a caring teacher who always had a smile. She will always be remembered as the teacher who taught me how to read. May God bless and comfort Miss Pollema's family and friends at her passing. "
"Dorothy / Dork) Thanks for your friendship, you will be missed may your soul rest in peace. Dee"
"Our first child was shy which held her back in so many of the school functions and in classes. The school placed her in Miss Pollema's class and WOW, what a change we saw in her! She brought her out of her shell and she started excelling in her class. More of our kids had her but she especially held a special respect and admiration for being such a fantastic teacher and person to give so willingly of herself and being patient and caring for all the kids she taught. She will be forever in our heart."
"How to even begin. I have known Dorothy mainly through St. Paul's Church and especially our Bible Study group. She will be truly missed at both places. My husband and I almost always sat either one or two pews in from of Dorothy on Sundays at Church - so most of the time we were able to share the peace with her. At Bible Study she certainly brought a lot to the table for all of us to learn, laugh and at times cry. At our last bible study it was so cute, Dorothy had just got this new "stylish" haircut which she was not used to and she was telling us all about what the hair dresser told her. She didn't know how she was going to be able to manage it since now she had to add so much "product" to her hair in order for it to work. Bless your memory Dorothy - you will so missed at St. Paul's. I know you are resting with the Lord. Judi"
"I was so sorry to hear that Miss Pollema had passed away. I enjoy telling my children about my teachers, and I always tell them about Miss Pollema's wonderful smile and how I looked forward to her "daily hugs." Rest in peace Miss Pollema and know that your legacy is that you were a great teacher who touched many lives."
"Miss Pollema was my First Grade teacher at Dover-Eyota. I have fond memories of her class: birthday songs, hugs, reading groups (former Cardinal here), and of course her candy stash used as rewards for spelling tests. May God bless her with heaven and bless her family with comfort in this sad time."
"I was so saddened to hear about the passing of Miss Pollema. She was my 1st grade teacher, and was such a kind soul. She was also a difficult teacher, but so loved."
"Miss. Pollema was my first grade teacher. I have many memories of birthday hugs and Tootsie Roll Pops. I also remember her reading Leo Lionni books to us while we sat on "the carpet". One of my favorite memories of Miss. Pollema is when she left the room one day. We were so noisy, she returned and we quieted right down. Well, she then proceeded to bring in a tape recorder from the hall. She had been recordeing us the whole time she was gone! She didn't miss a thing. Many good memories, she will truly be missed."
"We were so saddened to hear of Dorothy's death; she was such dear friend. Unlike others in our class, I only attended my senior year with her but what a year to remember! She lived across from the church and I was living in the parsonage. After school activities and ending up at that coffee shop in Lewison, we often walked home together and spent many hours chatting by the peony bush that was on that corner. Then, she was attending Macalester while I was at the U of M so we chatted often again. She was probably my first friend that became aware of my dating my future husband and then of course, she was one of our bridesmaids in our wedding party. When we returned to Lewiston, we always stayed with her. She was a part of our "round robiin" group of high school friends that have kept in contact since Shirley died. I called her ever so often again to chat and enjoyed her emails. She will be missed by many as she was such a loving/giving person! Love, Doris & Dick "
"Miss Pollema was not only my 1st grade teacher, but a lifelong friend. She taught me to love reading. I will always remember her giving us a HUGE hug every day before we went home from school. I'm so happy I kept in touch with her and was able to visit her quite a few times after her retirement. I loved hearing about her cats and her newest online game she'd found to play. Rest in peace Miss P. I'm sure you're giving out hugs left and right in heaven. :-)"
"I am so sorry to learn about Dorothy's death. My sympathy to all of her family. She was a joy to have here for her short stay earlier this year."
"Dorothy will always have a very special place in our hearts. She had such a wit about her and her humor was awesome! She loved her cats and we always asked about them. She was very willing to tell you all about them and how they were doing. Dee was a teacher's assistant to her for many years at Dover-Eyota Elementary School and she enjoyed working with Dorothy. Dorothy was a great teacher and a very dedicated teacher, as well. We enjoyed emailing Dorothy and staying in touch with her. We will miss her so very, very much. So long, dear friend! Dee and Jerry Tammen"