Dorothy J. Mitzel

Dorothy died Friday, December 29, 2023, at Clarkson Healthcare in Rapid City, SD.

Dorothy Jean Finney was born on March 26, 1939, to Theodore and Florence (Wakefield) Finney in Faulkton, SD. She attended rural Tayor School and graduated from Faulkton High School in 1957. She attended Northern State College and took up secretarial work. She worked in the ASC office in Faulkton and the Edmonds County ASC Office.

On December 6, 1958, Dorothy married Larry Mitzel in Faulkton. They moved to Aberdeen in March 1959 so Larry could go to college. When they had their children, she stayed at home with them until they were college age.

Dorothy did book work for a woman’s and men’s clothing store after her children went to college. Later, she worked at Herberger’s in Aberdeen until she retired. She loved working outside and gardening throughout her life. She also enjoyed mowing with her son Charles and his sons Matthew and Chuckie.

Dorothy always felt she was put on this earth to serve and not to be served. She appreciated the health God gave her so she could help her children, grandchildren, friends, or anyone else that needed her time and energy. She enjoyed playing games with her children and grandchildren; and reading to her grandchildren. Dorothy loved music all her life and her favorite thing to do was go dancing with her husband, Larry.

Grateful for having shared Dorothy’s life are her children: Roger (Sheri) Mitzel, David (Vicki) Mitzel, Charles (Becky) Mitzel, and Gloria (Leeroy) Perez; grandchildren: Kasey (Jay) Sexton, Dana Haberling (Travis Nichols), Peri (Alex) Malsom, Sara (Gary) Hegg, Larry (Samantha) Mitzel, Matthew (Amanda) Mitzel, Charles Mitzel, Jr., Evan Perez, Noah Perez (Lauren Rzepniewski), Grace Perez, Larissa Perez, and Julia Perez; great-grandchildren: Shyanne, Kolton, Felix, Charlotte, Sloane, Sarah, Allyanna, Lillian, and Erwin.

Preceding Dorothy in death are her husband, Larry Mitzel; parents, Theodore and Florence Finney; granddaughter, Jamie Lee Mitzel; great-granddaughter, Sophie Mitzel; and sisters: Donna Selnes, Vera Wik, and Virginia Reidt.