Dolores Dierkhising

Dolores E. "Dolly" Dierkhising, age 85, of New Munich, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at the Melrose Area Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, January 16 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in New Munich with Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church in New Munich. Parish prayers will be at 5 p.m. followed by St. Anne's Christian Mothers at 6 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Dolores Eleanor Zierden was born August 10, 1926 in New Munich, Minnesota to Mathias and Mary (Wehseler) Zierden. On April 22, 1947 she married Herbert Dierkhising in New Munich. The couple lived in rural New Munich all their lives. Dolores had multiple jobs including raising her eleven children. She was employed as a cook, a labor worker at the turkey store, and was a wonderful homemaker. She loved knitting, gardening, watching Wheel of Fortune, and doing anything outdoors, especially at the cabin. Above all, she was most caring and loving to everyone.

Dolores was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich and the St. Anne's Christian Mothers.

Survivors include her children, Daniel (Pam Petersen) Dierkhising of Avon, Carol (John) Suek of Long Prairie, Diane (Ken) Herbst of Walker, Marvin (Pam) Dierkhising of Blaine, Alvin (Jan) Dierkhising of Long Prairie, James (Geralyn) Dierkhising of Avon, Melinda (Dan) Moening of Melrose, Julie (Bob) Young of Bowlus, Neil (Linda) Dierkhising of St. Cloud, Lisa (Steve) Danzl of Melrose, and Kim (Jason) Schroeder of Melrose; 31 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; sisters, Margaret (Al) Borgerding of Freeport and Sister Geraldine Zierden, O.S.B. of St. Joseph.

Dolores was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Dierkhising on December 4, 2000; infant twins, Allan and Alice Dierkhising; grandson, Jeffrey Dierkhising; sisters and brothers, Theresa, Hubert, Jerome, Art, Lucille, Edmond, Rosemary, and Larry.

Serving as casket bearers will be Darrick Dierkhising, Greg Suek, John Dierkhising, Craig Dierkhising, Ryan Dierkhising, Brett Moening, Shane Dierkhising, Jayden Danzl, and Noah Schroeder. Cross bearer will be Dawn Herbst and scripture bearer will be Hope Danzl. Honorary bearers will be Dolores's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mass servers will be Valerie Parker and Zachary Zierden. Gift bearers will be Margaret Borgerding and Sister Geraldine Zierden, O.S.B. Readers will be Tanya Finken and Sarah Suek. Petitions will be read by Lea Dierkhising, Jenna Dierkhising, Katie Fields, Chantel Dierkhising and Kristen Smith. Eulogies will be read by Eli Dierkhising and Jim Dierkhising.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.