Dorothea "Dottie" Pluemer

Dorothea (Dottie) Pluemer peacefully ended her earthly journey on August 20, 2020, at The Emeralds. Born November 16, 1922, Dottie was the 15th of seventeen children of Robert and Emmy (Holler) Hartleben of Hankinson, North Dakota. She grew up on the farm, speaking German. She learned English when she started kindergarten at a country school. Dottie graduated from Hankinson High School in 1939. Following graduation, she moved to Faribault and enrolled in the St. Lucas School of Nursing, from which she graduated in 1943. Dottie worked for the School for the Deaf and at North Western Hospital before joining the Army Nurse Corps in 1945. While in the Army, she served at Fort Logan and Fort Collins in Colorado, providing care to wounded soldiers returning stateside from the Pacific Front.

On May 29th, 1946, Dottie married Vincent Joseph Pluemer. She continued as a nurse in various settings, including Dr. Donald Studer’s office, St. Lucas Hospital, District #1 Hospital, Shattuck, and private duty nursing. She enjoyed being the organist for several churches and taking part in the Rosary Circle and other church activities. Dottie enjoyed gardening and canning/freezing produce she grew. Creativity in the kitchen was her forte. Anyone invited for a meal knew it would be delicious! Dottie was also an instinctively gifted card player – you wanted her for your Bridge partner but hid your money if you were playing her in Gin. Dottie loved flowers, birds, and – especially – butterflies. Her daughters and their friends were truly fortunate to have her as their Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She was even brave enough to take a troop of 8th grade girls by train to Chicago! Dottie doted on “her two girls”, her 7 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Vince, son-in-law Rudy Kadlec, parents, and 16 siblings.

Dottie is survived by her daughters: Pam Miller (Reggie) and Paula Kadlec; grandchildren: Stefanie Vasquez (Carlos), Susie Derington, Courtney Samanen (Jeff), Alysha Knott (Todd), Alex DuLac (Shannon), Adam DuLac (Jessica), and Amelya DuLac (Joe);  great-grandchildren: Ben and Cole Vasquez, Dorothea and Lyndon Samanen, Coral and Sage Standke, Hallie and Lacie Knott, Jayda and Henry DuLac, Olover DuLac, Vanessa and Luis Cornelio, and Adrian Vega.  She also is survived by two sisters-in-law: Millie Hartleben and Mary Lou Pluemer, numerous nieces and nephews, and devoted friends: Brad Standke, Paul Miller, Peg Vamosy, Mary Sorenson, Donna Reuvers, and the Bruce Malecha family.

The family is grateful for the thoughtful, individualized care Dottie received from Northfield Home Care, District #1 Hospital, the Emeralds, and Brighton Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Dottie’s name to: The Minneapolis VA Health Care System for their Women Veterans’ Programs (Minneapolis VA Voluntary Community Resource Services, #135, 1 Veterans Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55417); Bethlehem Academy (105 3rd Ave SW, Faribault, MN 55021); or your charity of choice.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 28, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault.  Interment will be at the Maple Lawn Cemetery in Faribault with military honors provided by the Rice County Veterans Association.

Visitation will be held on Friday from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the church.

For online condolences and further information, please visit www.ParkerKohlFuneralHome.com