Dorothy Johanson

Dorothy Johanson, age 86 of Milbank died August 14, 2017, at Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 18 at 10:30 a.m. at American Lutheran Church in Milbank. Rev. Carl Larson will officiate and burial will be in the Milbank Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5 – 7 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home and continue at the church on Friday, one hour prior to the service.

Casket bearers will be: Jerad Thomsen, Chris Vangsness, Ashley Johanson, DJ Vangsness, Jordan Dorneman, and Cody Dorneman. Honorary bearers will be her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and the staff at Milbank Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Dorothy May Morton, the daughter of Raymond and Violet (Packard) Morton, was born on May 31, 1931. She grew up in the LaBolt, SD area. Dorothy was united in marriage with Kenneth L. Johanson on June 8, 1952, in rural LaBolt.

Dorothy was a devoted wife and hardworking homemaker, raising six children. She never spoke an unkind word about anyone or anything, and was always thoughtful. She had a gentle and thankful soul. She appreciated the little things in life, and the small kind gestures given to her. She adored her family and remembered everyone’s birthday! She was proud of her children and cherished all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She enjoyed celebrating special occasions and birthdays with her sisters.

Dorothy suffered a stroke 17 years ago. Her husband died on November 10, 2009. Dorothy moved into the Milbank Care and Rehabilitation Center (formerly Golden Living Center) and resided there for 12 years. She was loved and cared for by their wonderful staff.

Left to cherish her memory are her five children: Virginia (John) Thomsen of Brookings, SD; Joyce (David) Vangness of Milbank, SD; Irvin (Betsy) Johanson of Milbank, SD; Georgia (Todd) Hemmestad of Holt, MO; Kristy (David) Dorneman of Milbank, SD; daughter-in-law, Margaret (Rollin) Imme of Watertown, SD; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren (and three great-great-grandbabies on the way); her sisters: Blanche Rohlfs of Milbank, SD; Mildred Pederson of Milbank, SD; Clara Pederson of Milbank, SD; Doris Wendland of Milbank, SD; Betty Schultz of Corona, SD; and Myra (Ken) Quade of Milbank, SD; brother-in-law, James (Darla) Johanson of Milbank, SD; sisters-in-law: Mary Morton of Milbank, SD and Linda Cotton Morton of Milbank, SD; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Patrick Johanson; and siblings: Helen Seehafer, Berton Morton, and Charles Morton.