Dorothy G. Lussenden

Dorothy Glenice (Sill) Lussenden, 93, died July 28, 2019, at Sunset Drive Care Center, Mandan.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am Monday, August 19, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 106 Osage Ave., Bismarck, with Rev. Craig Schweitzer officiating. Burial is at 1:00 pm Monday, August 19, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Bismarck.

Family will greet visitors one hour prior to the service at the church.

Dorothy was born October 12, 1925, at Golva, ND, the daughter of Curtis and Cleo (McDougall) Sill. She was raised in Beach, ND, and graduated from Beach High School in 1943. She then worked at the ASCS Office in Beach for two years before attending NDSU for two years. Dorothy married R. Milton Lussenden on March 24, 1947, in Beach. She and Milt lived in many rural communities: Rolla, Mohall, Bottineau, New Rockford, and LaMoure, before settling down in Bismarck in 1966. Their children, Kathy Randy, and Bob were born while living in Rolla and Mohall. Dorothy was employed by the Northern Great Plains Research Center from 1966 until retirement in 1980 as the Director’s secretary.

Dorothy’s focus in life was her church and her family. She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, participated in WELCA and the Library Guild. Outside of church she truly enjoyed playing bridge and making great friends with all the bridge participants. Mother was a great homemaker, sewing our clothes especially in the early years and making nourishing meals from the garden that Milt grew. Mom was well-known for her ability to bake pies. She enjoyed learning Hardanger, a type of embroidery, and crafting many doilies and stoles. Grandma Dorothy was tremendously proud of her ten grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She often bragged about their talents and successes.

Dorothy is survived by one daughter and two sons, Kathy (Richard) Toomey, Bagley, MN, Randy (Peggy), Alexandria, MN, and Bob (Nancy), Bismarck, ND; ten grandchildren, Rev. Michael (Maria) Toomey, Fargo, ND, Dr. Stephanie (Dylan) Kannas, Rochester, MN, Dr. Ryan Lussenden, Placerville, CA, Katie (Kyle) Fisher, Jordan, MN, Kelly (Matt) Schmidgall, Morris, MN, Mark (Alissa) Lussenden, Alexandria, MN, Jessica (Scott) Harms, Ypsilanti, ND, Carrie (Rev. Cole) Bentley, Bottineau, ND, Jonathan (Heather) Lussenden, Palmer Lake, CO, Christina (Paul) Reynolds, Washburn, ND; 24 great-grandchildren; and wonderful nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Milt; parents; her brother, Ken Sill and his wife, Vila; her sister Maxine Hansen and her husband, Ralph; and one great-grandchild, Hope Toomey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The God’s Child Project or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.