Dolores Stovern, 1919-2015

Published 9:59 am Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Funeral services for Dolores A. Stovern of Missouri, formerly of Albert Lea, will be at 1 p.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Holt will officiate.

Dolores Stovern

Interment will be in Lunder Lutheran Cemetery in rural Albert Lea. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea and one hour before the service at the church.

Dolores was born Aug. 13, 1919, in Blue Earth, the daughter of Peter and Nora (Sabin) Erickson. She died Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at 95.

She and her sisters Charlene and Norma were well known as the Erickson Sisters and sang at many local venues and functions, including the first broadcasts of KATE radio in Albert Lea. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1937.

She married Everette Stovern Dec. 5, 1937, and they lived on the Stovern family farm. She enjoyed farm life, including raising their three children, Patricia, Dallas and Pamela, and hosting many family gatherings on the homestead. While living on the farm she was involved in many activities of Lunder Lutheran Church.

When Everette became the sheriff of Freeborn County they moved to the sheriff’s residence where she became the jail matron, handling visitors, detainees and cooking for the inmates. Throughout her life cooking was a passion, making many of the old Norwegian dishes — as well as current new recipes — and everyone around her benefitted.

She was an active long-time member of the Does, holding many of their offices, becoming a lifetime member and playing in the ukelele group. She loved playing golf, garnering many trophies and playing weekly bridge.

She belonged to a mission circle at First Lutheran Church and was active in the church women. She loved the many activities and people of her church. She belonged to the mission circle for over 50 years, the quilting group, knitted over 50 prayer shawls, made lefse every year and sang in the choir. Singing was another passion throughout her life and she sang while doing the dishes and cleaning, as well as singing with heart in church.

She is survived by her three children, Patricia (Ron) Johnson of Maricopa, Arizona, Dallas (Barbara) Stovern of Poplar, Wisconsin, and Pamela Guyer of St. Louis; her sister, Nancy (Jim) Lawson, of Mesa and Prescott Valley, Arizona; and her eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Everette, in 1996; her sisters Charlene, Norma and Barbara; and brother, Orlan.

Memorial donations in her name may be given to the First Lutheran Church music department, Lunder Lutheran Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.