Dorothy Elizabeth Phipps

Dorothy E. Phipps, age 102, of Lakeville, Minnesota, formerly of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, and passed away on October 28, 2024, at Highview Hills Senior Living in Lakeville. Dorothy Elizabeth Hanson was born on July 17, 1922, in Decorah, Iowa, to her parents, Helmer and Julia (Harter) Hanson. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1940 and received her teacher training. She taught in a one-room country school. On February 3, 1946, Dorothy was united in marriage to Merle T. Phipps at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church in rural Austin. The couple moved to Blooming Prairie in 1948 to farm her grandfather’s land. They farmed until the early 1970s when they started an ornamental concrete business and later added ornamental iron. Dorothy’s drawing ability came in handy as she painted thousands of concrete items over the years. Merle and Dorothy worked together as a team all through their married life until Merle’s passing in 1997. They traveled extensively in the US, including Hawaii, for their 50th anniversary. She was a member of Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church and was very involved in the annual strawberry festival, quilting, circle and other church activities. Dorothy had an incredible green thumb; she would try a new vegetable or flower each season (some with more success than others). She enjoyed her role as the Hanson family matriarch and liked to share family stories. She felt our history was important. Dorothy will be missed by those who she leaves behind.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Rhonna (Mark) Peterson of Webster, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle Phipps in 1997; parents, Helmer and Julia Hanson; and infant twin brothers.

The funeral service for Dorothy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church in rural Austin. The visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Red Oak Grove Lutheran Cemetery, rural Austin. In lieu of flowers family prefers memorials to Samaritan Purse. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.