Mary Nell Dorholt, 83, went home to the Lord and her family in the early hours of Sunday, October 8, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones.

Mary Nell was born and raised in the Deep South of the Florida Panhandle with her eight siblings. Her personality shined with the love of her family roots and upbringing. She was a true Southern Belle.

She was working as a carhop in Panama City Beach when she met Kermit Matyas. They married and moved to Minnesota where they raised their three daughters: Connie, Lisa and Suzie.

In 1985, she met and married the love of her life, Denny Dorholt. They spent their life together, taking many adventures around the world. They enjoyed laughing, hosting dinners and parties, sharing their lake home with family and friends. Spending special time enjoying coffee and good glass of wine on their porch was a special time for them both.

Mary Nell loved being a grandma. Everyone was a blessing to her. The family remembers spending days at a time in their swimsuits at the lake, having special one on one time at home, work or on adventures-and enjoying dinosaur pancakes.

Loving life and people, Mary was involved with many organizations throughout the years. She was a very active member at Zion Lutheran Church, the American Heart Association, President of the North Star Women's Club, Ritual of Jewels-Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and the Minnesota Federation of Women's Club. She worked as a realtor at Rothstein Realty, Front Desk Manager at the Sawmill Inn, The Grand Rapids Veterinary Clinic, sold Avon and Mary Kay, had her own gym and organizing estate sales with Junk and Disorderly.

She loved playing tennis, cross-country skiing, traveling the world with her Ya Ya Sisterhood, gardening, sewing, baking, and helping others. Mary hosted most of the family holiday gatherings and often included acquaintances and friends that didn't have a family of their own to celebrate with.

Mary is survived by her husband, Denny Dorholt; daughters, Connie (Roger) Sutherland, Lisa (Kevin) Figgins, Suzie (Kevin) Masurka; sons, David (Kelly) Dorholt, Dean (Tonya) Dorholt; and many grandchildren, Connie's: Jesse (Ashley) Sutherland, Jared (Bekah) Sutherland, Jacob Sutherland Great Grandchildren: Jay, Suzie's: Lindsay (Josh) Helland, Nick Scherf, Danika Masurka, Jessica (Jonathan) Reed, Lisa (Chad) Tracy and Great Grandchildren: Donald, Rose, Hunter, Kaden, Hailey, Kevin, Lisa's: Harley (Steve) Estey, Hannah (Colton) Danforth, Samuel Figgins, Dean's: Emily (Matt) Frol, Drew (Carly) Dorholt and Great Grandchildren: Clara, and David's: Amanda Dorholt, Emma (Noah) Dorholt

Mary Nell is preceded in death by her parents, Nellie Pearl (Big Mama) Donaldson and Ester Verbein Woodham as well as her siblings Joanne (Miss Woodie) Swartz, Paul Woodham, Kay Hicks, Thomas C (Buddy) Woodham, La Rue Woodham, James Hamilton (Hamp) Felder, Judson (Judd) Felder, Norma Roberts and grandson Derek Dorholt.

The service will be held on Sunday, October 15th at Zion Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids with Pastor Ben. The visitation will be at 12:00 p.m. and the service to follow at 1:00 p.m. A light luncheon will follow the service. There will be a Florida funeral service at a later date.