DOROTHY MAE FOSS

Dorothy Mae "Dodo", "Dody" Foss, 85, died peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013 at her daughter's home in Grand Rapids.

Dorothy was born on April 28, 1927, to Hjalmer and Betsie Gunderson.

Dorothy was a lifelong resident of Virginia and a lifetime member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

After graduation in 1945, she went to work at Reed's Department Store and married Rodney Foss in 1947.

She stayed at home to raise her family and later worked at J. C. Penney, the Gunderson Insurance Agency, and Winslow's. After leaving Penney's, she looked forward to the monthly lunches with the other retirees.

She loved growing up as one of the Gundersons and passed her Norwegian heritage to her daughters and granddaughters.

Dorothy and Rodney raised their youngest daughter, Linda, who was born with WAGR syndrome, with patience and kindness, and Dorothy was happy that Linda was placed in a loving group home in Chisholm.

Her immediate family and her extended family and friends were so precious to her, and she appreciated every one of them. Dorothy left behind a legacy of courage and love and her smile will never be forgotten.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Rodney; daughter Linda; three brothers, Oscar, Norman and Alan Gunderson, and four sisters; Frances Salmi, Olga Elkington, Betty Gunderson and Audrey Martinson.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter Luann (Dr. Byron) Rowell of Grand Rapids; three granddaughters, Kristin Rowell, Stephanie (Harley) Keppler, and Lindsay (Gary) Bednar; great-granddaughter, Whitney Dee Bednar (who could always put a smile on her face); special friends, Patty, Robin and Rachel Olivanti, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Memorials are preferred to the Virginia Foundation, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, or Itasca County Hospice of Grand Rapids.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE: 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, in the Landmark Funeral Home Chapel in Virginia with Pastor Robert Simensen officiating, with a gathering of family and friends one hour prior to the service.

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