Dorothy M. Fennell

Dorothy Mary Bieringer was born July 21, 1934, the 13th child of Anthony and Mary Anna (Merton) Bieringer. She was raised Catholic and attended St. Paul’s Catholic Church where she received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation. She attended Saint Paul’s Elementary School and graduated from Sauk Centre High School on May 9, 1952. Dottie then entered the banking industry and was promoted several times, leading the way for other women to enter the profession. Dottie married her high school sweetheart Donald Fennell on February 19, 1975 and moved to Great Falls, Montana to be with him. She continued her career and the couple managed a four plex in Great Falls for several years. They moved to Little Sand Lake in Minnesota and spent their last 30 years there together. Dottie and Don enjoyed square dancing, fishing, and being with friends and family. Dottie was proud of her German heritage and her career. She was also a master seamstress. Dottie passed away on April 11, 2019 at the Sauk Centre Hospital after a head injury suffered during a fall.

Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and beloved husband Don Fennell.

Survivors include several nieces, Betty Jane Felding of Sauk Centre, Minnesota and Karen Houseman of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; her beloved Godchild, Richard (Lori) Reznechek of Hutchinson, Minnesota; Don’s sister, Dorothy May Winter of Medora, North Dakota; nieces, Diane Johnson of Glenwood, Minnesota and Cheryl Thornbloom of Sauk Centre, Minnesota; and step-daughter, Twila (Bryan) of Helena, Montana.

Blessings and thanks to the hospital staff, as well as the Fairway Pines staff who created an atmosphere of love and respect during her final months. A very special thank you to Mike and Julie Svendahl and Dale Johnson who cared for Dottie and Don throughout this process.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Dorothy “Dottie” Fennell will be held Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church (304 Sinclair Lewis Ave.) in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

A burial for Dottie and Don will be at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Sauk Centre. Don will receive military honors by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard. A reception at the church will follow the burial.