Dorothy Elizabeth Kluck, 81, Minot, and formerly of Hawley and Dilworth, MN, died Saturday, September 09, 2006, in a Minot nursing home.

Dorothy Ford was born on April 9, 1925 on the Ford family homestead, located three miles north of Hawley, MN, one of ten children to Sidney and Rose (Burnside) Ford. She was raised on the farm and attended grade school in District 104's one room school house through the eighth grade. Dorothy discontinued her education to assist her family with the operation of the family farm when her brothers went off to war.

Dorothy was known far and wide for being the best potato picker in the area. She enjoyed traveling. For a time, she lived and worked in Washington, DC.

Dorothy met the love of her life Ralph Kluck. They were married in Hawley, MN on November 7, 1953. Soon after their marriage, the couple moved to Eaglewood, California, where Dorothy would take a job at the Rose Marie Reed Swimsuit Factory. Dorothy had one child, Roger. Two years later the family would return to Hawley, where they would live for many years enjoying all of their families. Dorothy worked for Peterson's Grocery, where she took multitasking to a whole new level. She baked, cut meat, ran the till and kept the place sparkling clean. In 1963, Dorothy met the greatest challenge of her life. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She would spend the rest of her life in her wheelchair. She kept her mind sharp and her hands busy. Embroidery became her life's work. This talent was shared with everyone. She made many beautiful things. She loved cooking. In her early years she passed down her love for bread making to Roger. She was a stickler for working hard and instilled her work ethic to all and especially her love for math to Roger.

Dorothy and Ralph built their first and only new home in Dilworth, MN, in 1975. She and Ralph made their last move to Minot, ND, in 1996. It was wonderful for them to spend the next 10 years watching their grandchildren, Jennifer and Jordan Grow up. She enjoyed all of their programs and ballgames. She was very proud of them. Dorothy became a resident of Trinity Homes in 1998. There she would live out her life and adopt the nurses, aides, and other staff as family. These wonderful angels gave her love and compassion. Dorothy was never bashful when it came to her opinions. She loved to banter with the staff. Her Sunday outings were everything to her. She would go to church and then to lunch for a plate of shrimp and a good cup of coffee with her family.

Dorothy passed quietly, looking forward to dancing for the first time in 44 years with her beloved Ralph.

Dorothy was a member of Bethel Free Lutheran Church, Minot, and was a former member of Dilworth Lutheran Church and Hawley Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her son: Roger (Jayne) Kluck, Minot; grandchildren: Jennifer and Jordan Kluck, Jean Keller, John (Sarah) Elkins, and Jim Elkins (fiancé Josie Shaw); great-grandchildren: Alex and Zachary Keller; and Abi Elkins; sisters: Annie (Melgaard) Tangen, Lucille Lepper, and Irene Kluck, all of Hawley, MN; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brothers, Lester, William "Bill" , Ralph "Shorty" , Ernest "Ernie" , Henry "Hank" and Clyde.

Funeral: Saturday, September 16, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. at Hawley Lutheran Church, Hawley, MN;
Interment: Hawley Community Cemetery, Hawley, MN;
Visitation: There will be no reviewal, but friends may sign a memorial register book on Thursday, September 14, 2006, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot, and one hour prior to the start of the service at the church in Hawley, MN.
Memorials: Minot Dream Catchers Baseball, c/o Michelle Blevin at 1701 Meadowlark Drive, Minot, ND, 58701 or to an organization of the donor's choice.