Dorothy Richardson Harris Church

On July 15, 1924 in a farmhouse south of Northfield, Minnesota, Florence and Fay Watson Richardson and their two sons, Russell Fay and Robert David welcomed into the world a baby girl and named her Dorothy Mildred. She was later joined in the family with brother John Watson and sister Jeanette Florence.

The family moved several times to various farms, so Dorothy attended several country schools as well as Washington Elementary School in Northfield. She attended 9th and 10th grades at Northfield and 11th and 12th grades at Farmington High School where she graduated as an honor student in 1942. The diverse settings of her education taught her a lifetime skill of making friends quickly wherever she was living.

After high school, she went to Minneapolis Business College where she completed a Private Secretarial Course in six months. She worked at Acoustican Hearing Aide Company in the Foshay Tower for two years. She then went to work in Rosemount for the government at E.I. duPont Company. It was there that she met Deane L. Harris and began the Harris chapter of her life in June 1946. They lived in Farmington, Minnesota. They welcomed into the world three sons: Scott, Richard and Randall.  Unfortunately, Deane became ill and passed away at the age of 48 in 1965.

She continued the Harris chapter of her life as a single mom for three young sons, ages 16, 13, and 9. She went to work for the Farmington School District, first as a library aide at the Elementary School and then as Secretary for the High School Principal for 18 years. Providing a good life for her three sons was a priority which was aided by her church and boy scouts.

In 1971 she began the Church chapter of her life. Otis Church was a beloved History teacher at the high school. The Harris and Church families had been neighbors and friends through the Faith Methodist Church in Farmington. Both had experienced the death of their spouse. He had two grown daughters, Joan and Patricia. They were married in October of 1971, so a blended, extended family was formed. Dorothy and Otis traveled extensively when they could, traveling to Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Scandinavian Countries, England and throughout the continental United States.

After a battle with cancer, Otis passed away in October of 1989. As a relatively young widow again, she needed to find ways to remain active with a purpose.  For several years she rode a little school bus as an aide for special needs children. In the summer after his death she took five grandchildren, ages 8-12, to Anchorage, Alaska for a week. It was a great experience for all of them and they often talked about it.

Dorothy continued her interest in travel with friends and the Castle Rock Travel Club in Farmington. She had become friends with Marva Jean Hutchens in Farmington as they shared a love of traveling, attending concerts, going to movies and plays. They went on a trip to the Holy Land, a mission trip to Honduras, and their first cruise from Rome to London with friends from Bemidji

Her adventures continued with the Grand Rapids chapter of her life. When Marva Jean moved to Grand Rapids, Dorothy boldly decided to move also. It was a wonderful decision as she met so many great friends, traveled to many places, and cultivated interests in photography, knitting, book clubs, and recently a writing group. She was an active member of Faith United Methodist Church in Farmington and the United Methodist Church of Grand Rapids. She recently received her 75 year member of Eastern Star, Myrtle Chapter. She was an active member of P.E.O.

Earlier this month Dorothy celebrated her 100th birthday with a wonderful open house at her home. She was truly blessed to be surrounded by so many friends and family.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings, husband Deane Harris, husband Otis Church, bonus daughter Joan Church Norton and her husband Jim Norton.

She is survived by her sons Scott, Richard and Randall and their families; her bonus daughter Patricia and her family; 6 Harris grandchildren and 5 Church grandchildren; 12 Harris great grandchildren and 6 Church great grandchildren; 1 Church great great grandson; many nieces and nephews and their families.

She experienced significant declining health since April 1st. With the compassionate help of the Care Team from St. Croix Hospice and presence of family and friends, her wish was granted to stay in her own home. Dorothy passed away very late Tuesday night, officially Wednesday July 24, 2024. A service will be held on Saturday, August 3rd with visitation at 10:00, service at 11:00 with lunch to follow. A family graveside service will be a later date at Corinthian Cemetery in Farmington, MN.