Dorothy (Parks) Pollard, age 98, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2026, surrounded by her family in her apartment, where she remained independent until the time of her death.

Dorothy was born on July 22, 1927, in Augusta, Georgia, to Samuel and Varina (Hooks) Parks. She attended Truman High School in Augusta. On January 8, 1943, she married Eugene ("Gene") Pollard, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Augusta.

Dorothy and Gene began their life together in Marquette, Michigan. Over the years, they lived in several communities, including Virginia, Minnesota; Park Falls, Wisconsin; Duluth, Minnesota, and Grand Rapids, Minnesota. In 1969, they returned to Grand Rapids from Duluth and purchased Gambles Hardware and Home Appliances.

Dorothy devoted many years to working as a saleswoman. Known for her warm southern accent and joyful personality, she built lasting relationships with customers and was a key contributor to the success of the businesses she served. She worked at Gambles and later spent many years with JCPenney, beginning at the West Duluth store and dedicating 27 years to the Grand Rapids location. Over the course of her career, she helped fit thousands of customers—young and old alike—with just the right pair of shoes.

Dorothy was deeply committed to her community and her country. She served as Grand Rapids Township Supervisor from 1989 until the township dissolved in 2010. She was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary #60, VFW Auxiliary #1720, Pike for Vets, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and the St. Joseph's Women's Club.  For decades, she was instrumental in organizing the annual placement of veteran flags over Memorial Day weekend at Grand Rapids–Itasca Calvary Cemetery, a tradition she helped sustain with family and friends beginning in 1969.

In her free time, Dorothy also enjoyed taking trips "up the road" to visit nearby casinos, a pastime that brought her great enjoyment.

Dorothy loved to share stories with anyone who would listen, but especially those about her upbringing. As a young child, she and her three siblings lost their mother during the influenza pandemic of 1932; her mother was just 30 years old when she passed away from pneumonia. Their father, suddenly a young widower, struggled to care for four small children and sought help from relatives, but none were able to take them in.

For a time, Dorothy and one of her sisters lived in an orphan home, while the two younger children stayed at Dawson Plantation in Georgia. Eventually, Dr. Goldie Dawson and her husband, Dr. Harry Dawson, both physicians, welcomed all four children into their home, raising them together on their plantation.

Dorothy held deep admiration for "Mama Dawson," whom she regarded as a pioneer—the first woman to graduate from the New Castle School of Medicine in Indiana. Mama Dawson placed a strong emphasis on education and encouraged the children's studies. Later in life, she shared with Dorothy that she had charged her father $12 for the children's room and board—not out of necessity, but as a reminder that he remained ultimately responsible for his children.

By the age of 14, Dorothy was working the 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. shift as a telephone operator for a local company in Augusta. One evening, instead of saving her nickel for the bus ride home as her Daddy told her to do, she treated herself to a piece of lemon pie and stopped at a local USO. There, two soldiers flipped a coin to decide who would walk her home. A tall, handsome combat engineer from Michigan won the toss—and would later become her husband.

Dorothy married Eugene when she turned 16, just before his deployment overseas to the Pacific Theater.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings; her beloved husband of 60 years, Eugene Pollard; her sons, Eugene Pollard Jr. and Donald Pollard; and her great-grandson, Devin Mettling.

She is lovingly remembered by her children: Kathleen (Christopher) Thiry; Brad (Gail) Pollard; Patrick (Sandra) Pollard; Joseph (Catherine Ellis) Pollard; and Curt Ruschmeyer (Peg); her daughters-in-law, Sara (Eugene Jr.) Pollard and Teresa (Donald) Pollard; as well as 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Dorothy will be remembered for her warmth, deep faith, and unwavering dedication to her family and community. Her life was marked by gratitude and a deep appreciation for the simple joys that mattered most. As she once shared in a 2003 Grand Rapids Herald Review article, "If I was to die tomorrow, I wouldn't mind. I've had great happiness. I have never had a lot of money, but my kids were my money. I've enjoyed every day I have ever lived."

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Grand Rapids, MN with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 AM at the church.  Fr. Jerry Weiss will officiate.  Burial will be at Itasca-Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MN.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Dorothy's honor to Grand Rapids Pike for Vets, Attn: Joe Maurer, 39954 Co. Rd. 257, Cohasset, MN 55721.

Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.