Dorothy Manz, 89, passed away Monday, February 19, 2024. She was born on July 7, 1934 to Roy and Clara (Holm) Edman on the family farm. She graduated from Alvarado High School in 1952 and the University of North Dakota in 1956 with a degree in music. Dorothy met Oscar at the Lutheran Student Association at UND. They were married on August 19, 1955. They were blessed with seven children. Through Oscar’s research with fly ash they traveled all over the world. One of their favorite trips was when they went to see Brad when he lived in South Africa and traveled around the country for two weeks.
Music was the center of her life. She started playing the piano when she was six and the pump organ when she was nine at Elim. She played the organ for 75 years at Elim Lutheran in Alvarado, Augustana and University Lutheran in Grand Forks, and New Hope Lutheran in Alvarado. Imagine Oscar watching over seven children during church services while she played the organ. She played for many weddings and funerals over the years. We all took piano lessons and played a musical instrument. We also sang in the church choirs. MN Public Radio was always on at our house playing classical music.
Dorothy loved picnics and would often take us down to University Park for a picnic. She also loved Old Mill and Itasca State parks and rest areas along 94 when we went down to see my Aunt Joan. Dorothy was very proud of being all Swedish and loved to bake krumkakes, spritz, kringla, and Swedish pancakes. She also made wonderful caramel rolls, buns, and bread. She loved her sayings. Two of her favorites were “This too shall pass” and “There is not much in this life that’s fair”.
Dorothy is survived by four sons and one daughter. Brad (Lorraine) Manz, Jeff (Elena) Manz, Tim Manz, Matthew (Anne) Manz, and Rachel (Jim) Ferguson. She had seventeen grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Oscar and two sons, Mark and Scott. A memorial service is planned for May.
Our special thanks goes to the wonderful staff at Kind-er Care in West Fargo for the love and awesome care they gave Dorothy. Memorials may be sent to Kind-er Care or Down Syndrome Association of MN.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am at New Hope Lutheran Church on Friday, May 24, 2024. Visitation will take place at Amundson Funeral Home from 5:00pm to 6:30pm on Thursday, May 23, 2024 with a Prayer Service starting at 6:30pm. Amundson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Dorothy Manz.