Dorothea Huiskes

DOROTHEA MARIE HUISKES was born on August 25, 1923 to William and Anna (Holst) Kurtz on the family farm south of Luverne, Minnesota in Rock County. She was baptized on September 16, 1923 and confirmed on September 6, 1936 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Steen, Minnesota. She attended District #3 country school through 8th grade when she left to help on the family farm. She loved helping and worked alongside her father who was proud to let her handle their team of horses. At the age of 16, she left home to work when she soon met Alvin Huiskes. The couple was united in marriage on February 14, 1946 at the St. John Lutheran Church parsonage after Alivin returned home from serving in the United States Army in WWII. They made their home in Luverne and raised a family of 9 children. After 26 years of marriage, Alvin passed away on April 25, 1972.

Dorothea devoted her life to helping others, working at the Good Samaritan Society and Mary Jane Brown Home for over 15 years. In 1974 she began working at the Luverne Community Hospital where she remained for 32 years until her retirement in August of 2006. On March 23, 2015 she was diagnosed with cancer and began receiving care at Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage on April 27, 2015. She passed away surrounded by her family at the cottage on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at the age of 91 years, eight months and 10 days.

Dorothea was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Luverne. She was an avid Minnesota Twins fan and enjoyed watching them and listening to them on the television. Throughout her years she enjoyed crocheting, reading, working on puzzles and going on adventures with her family, such as going for rides, camping and vacations. Her greatest treasure, however, was the times spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dorothea is survived by her children, Dianna (Glen) Malmquist, David (Shirley) Huiskes, Darla (Keith) Schmuck, Donna (Lon) Remme, Dawn (Dan) Dewispelaere, all of Luverne, Marcia (Don) Bork of Beaver Creek, MN, Jim (Mary) Huiskes of Northfield, MN and Kathy (Jeff) Wilsey of Brandon, SD; daughter-in-law, Anna Huiskes of Luverne; 23 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Millie Roberson of Norfolk, VA. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Anna; husband, Alvin; son, Darrell; great-granddaughter, Faith Hoogeveen; and grandson-in-law, Steven Watts.