"I just learned of Dorothy's passing and I'm deeply saddened and deeply sorry to hear of her passing. Mrs. Greseth was my 3rd grade teacher at Holmes Elementary. She retired that year and I lived across the street so I helped her pack up her classroom when summer break started and I asked her if I could write to her. This began our beautiful "penpal" friendship. She had such beautiful cursive writing. We wrote to each other after that for many years and she would tell me of all the community service she would do and it inspired me to serve the community too. I actually got the Rochester's Mayor's Medal of Honor for the community service that was inspired and influenced by her service to the community. After high school, I went away to the college, the Navy, got married and had kids, but we always kept in contact via letters and she always sent my kids such cute gifts and cards with stickers. When my kids were younger, we would visit her at the Festival of Trees and my kids would go get cookies from her at the cookie stand. I have such fond memories of her, our friendship and our letters to each other over the past 25+ years. I will cherish those memories and deeply miss those letters. May she rest in peace. My deepest sympathies to her family and Ron. Know that her legacy was amazing. She was truly an inspirational and amazing person. Sincerely, Soukkham (Sue) Ziebell "
In loving memory of
Dorothy Greseth
October 8, 1938 - January 3, 2022
Dorothy Joy Greseth, 83, of Rochester, passed away Monday, January 3, 2022 at Samaritan Bethany. Dorothy was born October 8, 1938 in La Crosse, WI to Orvin and Martha (Eliason) Benson. Dorothy attended school in a one room schoolhouse through grade school and went on to graduate from Houston High School. After high school, she went on to obtain her Bachelors' degree in Education from Winona State University. Dorothy began her teaching career in Kenyon and then went on to teach in Wanamingo after she met and married the love of her life, Ronald Greseth on June 15, 1963. Ron and Dorothy moved to Rochester in 1967 where Dorothy began teaching at Holmes School, where she eventually retired from after 29 years of teaching. Dorothy was always volunteering her time and talents throughout the community. Dorothy was named the 2008 Rochester, MN Mayor's Medal of Honor for Services to the Elderly. She spent 25 years decorating trees for the Festival of Trees, working at the Samaritan Bethany gift shop for 25 years and baking and organizing the Christmas bake sale at Samaritan Bethany. Dorothy enjoyed doing puzzles, playing games, painting, crafting and spending time at the family cabin up north. She was also a huge Minnesota Gopher fan. Dorothy was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, where she also spent countless hours volunteering time and participating in numerous groups and circles over the years. She was a kind, and generous woman, always giving to others. Dorothy is survived by her loving husband, Ron; children, Sharri Greseth-Juhnke, Lee Kyle (Jennifer) Greseth; grandchildren, Morgan and Luke, and numerous nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her sisters, Eva and Leila and by her brother, Ralph. Dorothy's sister, Florence Johnson, passed away after Dorothy in February 2022. A celebration of Dorothy's life will be held 11:00 AM Friday, May 13, 2022 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1212 12th Ave. NW, Rochester with Pastor Hayden Kvamme officiating. Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 PM Thursday, May 12, 2022 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, 5421 Royal Place NW. Rochester and one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at Kenyon Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan Bethany, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church or to The Ronald McDonald House in memory of Dorothy. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Greseth family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"We are very sorry to hear of Dorothy's passing. Our many thoughts & prayers are with you & your family, Ron. We have wonderful memories of Dorothy over the years. We saw her often at Samaritan Bethany in the gift shop when we volunteered there. As neighbors in CCM we would see her out for her morning walk when she passed by our home. May she rest in peace. Joe & Carol Hennessey"
"My first memories of Dorothy (and Ron) was when I was a child and our families went on many weekend camping trips. Lots of fun memories catching fireflies and Lee?s peach can!! When I rejoined Gloria Dei with my future husband, Dale, in 1990, Dorothy and Ron were always so kind to us and welcomed us so warmly to the Gloria Dei family. We?ll miss seeing her smiling face in church. Prayers to Ron, Sherry and Lee and the rest of her family. Sincerely, Sonja and Dale Amy"
"I met Dorothy at Holmes school , in my first year of teaching in 1981. As a Special Ed. Teacher, I was supporting a special need?s student in her classroom. Back then, this was a new concept for Rochester Public Schools, but Dorothy made me feel welcome and was a wonderful mentor to me in my first year. She always had a big smile for all of the students in her classroom. She was a wonderful woman and educator. My sympathies to her family during this sad time. Nancy Miller"
"Lee and the Greseth family. So sorry to hear of Mrs. Greseth's passing. "
"Dorothy and I went to Bible camp in 1953. And she and I made lefse at Gloria Dei for several years. "
"SO SORRY TO HEAR OF DOROTHY'S PASSING...COUSIN, YOU WILL BE MISSED BY SO MANY..FAMILY, GRANDCHILDREN, FORMER STUDENTS, AND i AM SURE SO MANY FRIENDS THAT YOU HAD MADE ALONG THE WAY. I KNOW THAT YOUR GRANDCHILDREN AND FORMER STUDENTS MAY HAVE LOTS OF GREAT MEMORIES TO SHARE and to remember you by. REST IN PEACE
"
"Sending caring thoughts to all of Dorothy's family during this difficult time. I recall fond memories of camping and New Year's eve card games. May she rest in peace."