Dorothy Herber

Dorothy Jean Herber, 95 of Winona, passed on Friday, February 21, 2025, at Sugar Loaf Senior Living. Dorothy was born on December 5, 1929, to August and Florence (Gibbons) Jereczek at home in Pine Creek, WI. She attended elementary school in Pine Creek and graduated from Cathedral High School in Winona (Class of 1949).

After graduation, she went to Minneapolis with several friends and worked in the accounting department of an advertising agency. She decided that big city life was not for her after meeting her future husband when she came back home for a visit.

On September 12, 1950, Dorothy and Ralph Herber were married, sharing nearly 63 wonderful years together. Dorothy loved being a farmwife alongside Ralph and raising their seven children. They grew large gardens, canned their harvest, and generously shared the abundance with others. Their children often joked that if a catastrophe ever struck, they would all head to their parent's house, knowing there would be enough canned goods to last a lifetime!

Dorothy and Ralph loved adventure and socializing. They enjoyed snowmobiling, river trips on his brother’s boat, and traveling out west with friends in their RV. They also made frequent trips to Chamberlain, South Dakota, where they visited the Indian reservation to bring donations and stopped by the nearby casino. Whether playing cards with the Oak Ridge couples or finding any excuse to gather with friends, they embraced every opportunity to connect with others. They were members of the Polish Museum and the Luxembourg Society and Museum, actively contributing to preserving the Tripen Fest tradition.

Dorothy loved tending to her flower gardens, baking for her family, and sewing, which was her favorite hobby since she was a young girl. She made countless quilts for her family and friends and belonged to the Holy Trinity Quilters. She also was active in the Dorothy Club and Red Hats.

After Ralph's passing in 2013, Dorothy moved to Sugar Loaf Senior Living, where she continued sewing for the residents. She cherished all the social activities and faithfully went to the gym each day to ride the exercise bike. As time passed, macular degeneration limited her ability to do the things she loved, yet she never complained as long as her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren visited. They were her greatest pride and joy. She was also immensely proud to be the longest-standing resident at Sugar Loaf.

Dorothy is survived by her children: Jo Dailey; Dewey (Cindy) Herber; daughter-in-law, Lisa Herber; Scott (Michelle) Herber; Mike Herber; and Charlie Herber. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren: Trevor, Carissa, Forrest, Lance, Lindsey, Danielle, Max, Sophie, Hunter, Ross, Kate, Bailey, Luke, and Noah; 11 great-grandchildren; her sister, Mary Ann (Jim) Goree; and her brother, James (Kathy) Jereczek.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ralph; her sons, Milo (1968) and Arlie (2025); and her sisters, Rosemarie Bronk and Donna Boberg.

A Mass will be held on Wednesday, February 26, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Rollingstone, with visitation one hour before the service.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Sugar Loaf Senior Living and Winona Health Hospice for their exceptional care, as well as for the kindness and support they have shown to both her and our family.