Dolores Dreesen

DOLORES DREESEN was born on February 27, 1932 to Ben and Tina (Tjepkes) Rust on a farm east of Magnolia, Minnesota. She attended country school though the eighth grade and kept busy helping her parents on the farm with the chores. On March 24, 1948, Dolores was united in marriage to Dick Dreesen at the Presbyterian Church parsonage in Worthington, Minnesota. The couple made their home in a simple trailer on the Buss farm. In 1949, the couple began farming on their own, first renting a farm northwest of Luverne and then a farm southeast of Beaver Creek, Minnesota. In 1956, they purchased a farm northwest of Luverne in Springwater Township which they named “The I.O.U. Ranch”. In the 1980’s, Dick and Dolores began renting out their land. At this time Dolores helped clerk part-time for Mulder Auction Services. The couple moved into Luverne in the fall of 2011. On February 26, 2014 Dick died peacefully at his home due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Dolores continued to reside in their home. On Tuesday, September 19, 2017, while at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Dolores went to be with her Lord at the age of 85 years, 6 months and 21 days. Though her heart wore out on this earth, her memory will remain very much alive in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Dolores was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne. She enjoyed making treats and seasonal crafts, embroidering dishtowels, watching Hallmark movies and keeping up with the latest QVC products. Chinese food, cappuccino, McRib sandwiches, shrimp baskets and having her hair done were also at the top of her favorites list. She always had a pot of coffee on and was ready to be a great hostess whenever Dick showed up on the yard with company. Most of all, Dolores loved spending time with her family. She will be remembered for her hard work and dedication to her family, who seldom could ever remember a time when she would complain.

Dolores is lovingly remembered by her two children, Jim (Pat) Dreesen of Jasper, Minnesota and Jeane (Jack) Leslie of Luverne; five grandchildren, Sheri (Doug) Baker of Sioux Falls, David (Nora) Dreesen of Fairfield, California, Jill (Chad) Buss of Luverne, Justine (Matt) Sandbulte of Beaver Creek, Minnesota and Jenna Leslie of Luverne; eight great-grandchildren, John Baker, Tiffany and Megan Dreesen, Lauren and Cole Buss, Emilee and Hattie Sandbulte, and Boston Groff; two brothers, Marvin Rust of Magnolia, and Melvin (Dorothy) Rust of Sioux Falls; and a sister, Joyce (Duane “Strectch”) Mulder of Luverne; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; infant son, Donald Ray; parents, Ben and Tina Tjepkes; and grandparents, Jake and Johanna Tjepkes and Herman and Jennie Rust; sister-in-law, Lena Rust; brother-in-law, Lee Jepson; and a nephew, Jeff Rust.