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Dorothy Aarsvold

Dorothy Mae Aarsvold, 80, of Baldwin, WI, widow of the late Reverend Milton Aarsvold, died peacefully in her home on Wednesday December 15, 2010. Dorothy was born December 18, 1929, in Taopi, MN, to Julius and Mary (Waldron) Eastvold. She attended elementary school at the Taopi School and graduated from Adams High School, Adams, MN, in 1947. Throughout her youth, Dorothy developed and practiced her Christian faith through membership in the Taopi community church. Dorothy spent a year (1947-1948) at St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, where she met Milton. In 1948, she entered The Kahler Hospitals School of Nursing, Rochester, MN, completing her nursing degree in 1951. On May 18, 1952, Dorothy and Milton were married at South Zumbro Lutheran Church, Kasson, MN. They lived in Minneapolis, MN, 1952-1954; rural Brandon, MN, 1954-1960; Plentywood, MT, 1961-1973; and rural Baldwin, WI, 1973-2002. In 2002, Milton passed away. From 2002 until her death, Dorothy lived independently in the rural Baldwin home she and Milton built in 1992.

Dorothy was a dedicated, caring registered nurse, practicing primarily geriatric nursing. She practiced at the University of Minnesota Hospitals, Minneapolis, MN (1952-1953); the Sheridan Memorial Nursing Home, Plentywood, MT (1971-1973); and the Baldwin Care Center, Baldwin, WI (1973-1996).

Family, immediate and extended, was Dorothy’s primary focus in life. She was a devoted homemaker and minister’s wife. She and Milton raised five children, assisting all to college degrees and more. Throughout Milton’s years of ministry, Dorothy participated actively in the ministries of the congregations he served, particularly the ministries of the circles and ladies aids. She prepared hundreds of layettes, and sewing, health, and school kits during 55 plus years of ministry in circles. Support of others through recognition of struggles and successes in life and faith was of great importance to Dorothy. She attended or in other ways supported the significant events and achievements in the lives of extended family, friends, acquaintances, and others, including births, baptisms, birthdays, confirmations, musical performances, athletic performances, Eagle Scout ceremonies, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, funerals.

Dorothy enjoyed music. She sang and played accordion in her youth, strongly encouraged her children to pursue vocal, piano, and other instrumental training, and greatly enjoyed performances of choirs, orchestras, and concert bands. She particularly enjoyed performances by members of her family and by the musical organizations of St. Olaf, Concordia, and Luther Colleges. Dorothy liked all animals, especially cats and her dog Tasha, an in-house companion during many of her later years. During the last decade of her life, in addition to family, she tended home, yard, and flower gardens.

Dorothy is survived by her children Matthew (Laurel) Aarsvold of Laguna Beach, CA, John Aarsvold of Decatur, GA, Timothy (Carolyn) Aarsvold, Alexandria, MN, Naomi (Thomas) Fleming of Alexandria, MN, and Paul Aarsvold of Alexandria, MN; grandchildren Nathan, Carissa, Stacie, Megan, Andrew, David (Amanda), and Michael Aarsvold, Joseph and Sean Fleming, and Jesse (Kristie) Hendrickson; great-grandchildren Chase and Reece Hendrickson; and sisters and brother in-law LaRae Eastvold; Charlotte Aarsvold, Norma Aarsvold, Lorraine Aarsvold, and Lillian and Donald Aarsvold. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Julius and Mary (Waldron) Eastvold; husband Reverend Milton Aarsvold; granddaughter Taylor Aarsvold; brothers Leslie, Jason, and Alfred Eastvold; brothers-in-law Wallace, Milfred, and Robert Aarsvold; and sisters-in-law Margaret and Gladine Eastvold.

There will be visitation on Wednesday December 22 at Peace Lutheran Church, rural Baldwin, WI. This visitation will be from 2 to4PM with a prayer service at 3:30PM. Pastor John R. Hanson will officiate. A funeral service for Dorothy will be held at 11AM Thursday December 23 at South Zumbro Lutheran Church, rural Kasson, MN. Pastor Mark Schwartz will officiate. There will be visitation at church one hour prior to the service (10AM). Burial will be at the church cemetery immediately following the service. Memorials are preferred. Funeral services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, Baldwin, WI.

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