Dorothy Jane Johnson, age 93 of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota died Saturday morning, September 9, 2017 at Prairie Manor Nursing Home in Blooming Prairie. Dorothy Jane Worke was born April 7, 1924, in Freeborn County, Minnesota, the daughter of Helmer and Agnes (Hagen) Worke. She attended school in New Richland, Minnesota, graduating from New Richland High School in 1941. On December 5, 1942, she married Omer Reese and to this union four sons were born. The couple made their home on a farm west of Red Oak Lutheran Church for twenty-five years. Dorothy was employed by the Owatonna Canning Company for thirty-seven and half years, retiring in 1990. After her retirement, Dorothy worked part-time at Prairie Manor Nursing Home, enjoying the residents as she passed juice and treats to the tenants of Heather Haus where she served the noon meal. Dorothy enjoyed sewing, gardening, crafts, cooking, baking and liked to dance. She was a member of Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church and Dorcas Circle, VFW Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary. Dorothy entered Prairie Manor Nursing Home on June 27, 2008.
Survivors include her son, Allan (Vicki) Reese of Ellendale; a daughter-in-law, Alice Reese of Blooming Prairie; ten grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Donald Worke of Albert Lea and Virgil Worke of Clarks Grove; a sister Beverly Stanke of Owatonna; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; three sons, Gary, Curtis and Ronald; four brothers, Dale, LaVerne, Paul and Jack and one sister, Marjorie.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, September 21, 2017, at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church with Pastor Lindsay Stolen officiating. Interment will follow the service at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, September 20 at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Memorials to Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church or Prairie Manor Nursing Home. Services prearranged and performed by the Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.