Dorothy Gaustad

HOUSTON, MINN - Dorothy M. Gaustad, 91, of Houston, passed away Monday, February 28, 2011, at the Valley View Care and Rehab Center, Houston. Dorothy was born on January 23, 1920 on the family's home farm in Looney Valley to Phillip and Tillie Happel. She attended grade school at the Silver Creek School in Looney Valley and later graduated from Houston High School in 1938. Dorothy was in attendance recently at her 72nd class reunion. On November 29, 1940, she married Odin Gaustad. They farmed in the rural Houston area for many years. In addition, to farming, Dorothy worked at the Valley View Care and Rehab Center retiring after 21 years. She was a faithful member of the Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston. Dorothy enjoyed spending time with her family and many special friends. She was known for her chocolate chip cookies, playing cards, going out to eat with friends and family, attending her great grandchildren's dance recitals, baseball and basketball games. She is survived by two daughters, Deanna (Dale) Cornforth and Donna (Duane) Oldenburg of La Crescent; three grandchildren, David Cornforth, La Crosse, Douglas (Holly) Cornforth, Onalaska and Darcey (Lyle) Lemke, La Crescent; two great-grandchildren, Sarah and Samuel Cornforth, Onalaska; one sister, Norma Klinge, Madison; sister-in-laws, Agnes Mierau, Rushford, Violet Traff, Houston, Lillian Collins, Sun City West, AZ., nieces, nephews and many special friends. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three sisters and one brother. Dorothy's family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the wonderful care Dorothy received while living at the Valley View Care and Rehab Center A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 5, at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston with the Reverend Lane Zaffke officiating. Visitation will be 1 p.m., until the time of the service. Private family interment will take place in the spring at Silver Creek Cemetery in Looney Valley.In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to be directed to the Cross of Cross Lutheran Church in Houston and the Silver Creek Cemetery in Looney Valley. We will sadly miss our Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother very much.Please share a memory of Dorothy in her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.