Dorothy H. Frantzen, 84, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at the Dells Nursing and Rehab Center. Her Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids. Interment will be in the St. Mary Cemetery, Dell Rapids. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. and the Christian Wake Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Kahler Funeral Home on Monday, June 9, 2014. To leave condolences, please visit www.kahlerfh.com.
Dorothy was born on May 8, 1930 in Garretson, SD to Arthur and Henrietta (DeRue) Heinemann. During her childhood she could be found helping her father on the family farm.
Before marrying, Dorothy worked in Sioux Falls for several years as a nanny and housekeeper and always spoke fondly of that period of time in her life. She married Bernard “Benny” Frantzen on May 19, 1959 and they farmed near Dell Rapids until their retirement in 1986. Dorothy was a homemaker and most comfortable in service to others. A woman of few words, she showed her love to her family and friends in different ways. A few of those ways were by making herself available to babysit or baking everyone’s favorite treats. Anyone that was fortunate enough to receive a baked treat could tell the love that went into making it.
After Benny passed in 2000, Dorothy loved working at the Dells Bowling Alley and then later at a Daycare in Dell Rapids where she would spend her afternoons “rocking the babies” until she retired at the age of 80.
Due to ailing health, she moved to Prairie Crossings in Sioux Falls in 2013. There she made good friends and loved reminiscing with the ladies about her younger days going to the dances at the Arkota Ballroom. She recently returned to Dell Rapids.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Benny Frantzen, daughter, Sarah, son, James, her parents, and her sister, Mary Schmidt.
Grateful for having shared her life are her daughters, Catherine Frantzen (Gary Ellefson) of Dell Rapids and Susan (Tim) Peterson of Sioux Falls; grandchildren, Tyler (Paige) and Ryan Frantzen, Eric (Louise) Halbleib, Jack and Tate Peterson; her siblings, Floyd “Bud” Heinemann, Joyce Lerdahl, Virginia Mergen, and Ruby Nelson; three great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.