Dolores May Brownson Cline, age 89, former longtime resident of Lakeland MN and Hobe Sound FL, passed away on September 8, 2010 at the Christian Community Home in Hudson, WI.

She was born the daughter of Walter and Ella (Saufferer) Dienst on May 19, 1921 in Faribault, MN. She graduated from Faribault High School in 1939, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Minnesota in 1944. She enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a Second Lieutenant in the Pacific theater, and the Philippines, where she earned the Philippines Liberation ribbon and medal.

Upon her discharge, she worked as a public health nurse in Texas, British Columbia, Calgary, and Minneapolis, where she met and married Harvey E. Brownson in 1951. They had three sons; James, Robert, and Thomas. She and Harvey lived in Minneapolis and Atlanta, GA, before moving to Lakeland, MN in 1964. There she resumed her nursing career and worked as a public health nurse for Washington County, and then as a nurse with Stillwater District 834 schools, eventually becoming the nursing Coordinator for the district. She was active in professional organizations, including School Nurses of Minnesota in which she was an officer.

Upon their retirement in 1984, she and Harvey moved to Hobe Sound, FL, where she would live for 20 years. In 1995, Harvey passed away. Dolores then met and married Earl Cline in 1998. In 2004, they moved to Hudson, WI to be closer to her sons and their families. Earl preceded her in death in 2005. Throughout her life, Dolores was active in the Methodist Church. She enjoyed travel and had the opportunity to see much of the world. She loved a good game of bridge and played actively until the end of her life. She was especially proud of her military service, and her family. In her nursing career, she was a caring and selfless innovator involved in numerous public health initiatives.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Harvey Brownson and Earl Cline, and brother, Richard Dienst. Dolores is survived by her sons; Jim (Trudy) Brownson of Stillwater, MN, Robert (Maureen) Brownson of Deephaven, MN, and Tom (Meg) Brownson of Stillwater, MN; grandchildren: Jennifer (Tom) Fitzgerald, Anne, Amy, Scott, Erika, Mike, Jim, and Matt Brownson; great-grandchildren; Jack, Bobby, and Ellie Fitzgerald; and extended family.

A funeral service will be held for Dolores at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 12th at St. Croix Valley United Methodist Church, 16600 7th Street (Hwy 95), Lakeland, MN. Visitation is one hour prior. Rev. Dr. Darin Flinck will officiate and her grandchildren will serve as casketbearers.

As an expression of sympathy, memorials may be designated to the St. Croix Valley United Methodist Church – Faithful Servant Trust Fund.

Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Countryside Crematory, 715-386-3725.