Dorothy M. Rourk

DOROTHY MARIE ROURK was born to Gordon Albert and Eleanor (Pfutzenreuter) Dinger on May 11, 1925 in rural Hecla, South Dakota. She was baptized in the Methodist faith and later confirmed in the Catholic faith. She attended country schools in South Dakota’s Greenfield Township for eight years. She then continued her education at the high school in Hecla. After Dorothy graduated from high school in 1943, she entered the business college in Aberdeen, South Dakota for secretarial training. Upon completion of her education, Dorothy worked as a bookkeeper at Walgreen Drug in Aberdeen. She was among the first Snow Queen Festival candidates in Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1946. On June 14, 1947, she was united in marriage to Robert Rourk at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen. Following their marriage, they bought a drug store in Gary, South Dakota. They owned and operated this store until 1959 when they then moved to Alexandria, South Dakota and owned and operated the pharmacy there. In 1963 Bob and Dorothy purchased the pharmacy in Lake Benton, Minnesota and were able to teach their family many life skills and life lessons through that business. The Lake Benton store was sold in 1976. Robert preceded Dorothy in death on November 26, 2010. After his death, Dorothy continued to live in Lake Benton and then Tyler, MN. Following three weeks of care at Palisades Manor Nursing Home in Garretson, South Dakota, Dorothy went to be with her Lord on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the age of 91.

Dorothy was an active member of St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota. While she was there she was a leader of the local and Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, CCD teacher for 30 years, Extraordinary Minister, song leader, lector, and hospitality representative. Dorothy continued to represent her parish by being on committees for Family, Social Concerns, Ad Hoc Committees, and Church Council. She was named 1994 Diocesan Catholic Woman of the Year. She also served on the local and regional boards of the Retired Senior Volunteer Programs. Dorothy participated in a library program (LIFT) where she read with younger children, was honored by Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, and was an honored charter member of the Opera House group. In 2001, she was elected Outstanding Senior Citizen of Lincoln County. While Dorothy was living at Danebod, she experienced the thrill of a lifetime by having a 600 point hand at a bridge game with her friends.

Dorothy was a selfless and compassionate wife and mother. She was a natural caretaker, teacher, and leader. She not only unconditionally loved and took great pride in each of her own nine children but also loved and watched over all the neighborhood children like her own. She did her best to instill Christian values in the young people in her life.

She is lovingly remembered by her eight children, James (Darcy) Rourk of Vancouver, Washington, Janet Wiener of Volga, South Dakota, Ann (Ray) Galbraith of Bryant, South Dakota, Karen (Tom) Christiansen of Hurley, South Dakota, Mary (Terry) Allen of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Judith (Richard) Biddle of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, Constance Nelson of Garretson, South Dakota, and Gordon (Jordan) Rourk of Dallas, Texas; 19 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Norma Robins of Hawaiian Gardens, California. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband (Robert), a daughter (Donna Rourk), and two brothers, Robert and Ronald Dinger.