Dorothymae LePier

Dorothymae LePier, age 93, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Thursday, September 9th, at Essentia Health Hospital in Fosston. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15th, at Kingo Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. John Ragan officiating. Interment will be in Kingo Lutheran Cemetery, Fosston. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. The service will be live-streamed and available for viewing on the Carlin website and Facebook page. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Dorothymae was born to Thorvald and Edith (Anderson) Bakken on May 25, 1928, in Shevlin, MN. She was raised in Fosston and graduated from Fosston High School in 1946. After graduating, she attended teacher training in East Grand Forks, then taught at Sunnyside School near Gully, MN, from 1947-49.

She was baptized and confirmed in Hope Lutheran Church. On July 9, 1949, she was united in marriage to Arvid LePier. After marriage, she and Arvid attended Kingo Lutheran Church where she served in many capacities, including ladies aid president and as a Friday School teacher for many years.

She worked alongside Arvid as bookkeeper of the family business, LePier Oil Co., until 1987. Dorothymae and Arvid purchased the Chalet Steakhouse & Lounge in 1986, where she actively participated in the day-to-day operations until 1993.

Favorite pastimes included, gardening, sewing, cooking, baking, the couples’ progressive Christmas supper, birthday club, and prayer partners. She also enjoyed trips with Arvid, creating beautiful counted cross-stitch pictures, reading, watching Hallmark movies, and gathering for coffee with the ladies at the local cafe. She always attended her kids’ and grandkids’ concerts and sporting events with great enthusiasm. And, not to worry… if you ever forgot a date, a name, or an event, “just ask Grandma.” Her mind was sharp, her wit and well-timed sarcasm, even sharper.

She was lovingly known as “Grandma Dot” by her great-grandchildren and she’d often joke with family, “Come again when you can’t stay quite so long,” on their way out the door.

Dorothymae is survived by her children Lora Lee (Bob) Saeter, Larry LePier, and Nancy (Mark) Winkler; grandchildren Heidi (Pete) Danos, Kelly (Kevin) Blaser, Tim (Jill) Saeter, Brandon (Trista) LePier, Amy Jo (Andrew) Stockinger, Liza Winkler, Bryan (Sara) LePier, Brittany (Kyle) Djernes, and Betsy Winker; many great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and brother Donald Bakken. She was preceded in death by her husband Arvid, David Allen (infant son), Kristi Lee (infant granddaughter), parents, and her brother Richard Bakken.

She was a special lady that will be greatly missed.