Mildred Dow

Visitation: Thursday, April 14, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. " 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Dobmeier Funeral Home, Barnesville, Minnesota. Visitation resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 2:00 p.m. " Friday, April 15, 2011, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Barnesville, Minnesota Mildred Dow, age 96, a resident of Barnesville, Minnesota, for over 70 years, died on Monday, April 11, 2011, at Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead, Minnesota. Mildred Irene Erickson was born June 30, 1914, in Moorhead, Minnesota, at the home of her parents, Charles Martin and Minnie Augusta (Erickson) Erickson. She grew up and attended public schools in the North Dakota coal mining communities of Noonan, Columbus, and Velva. Her formal education went through the 8th grade but her living education stretched out the next 82 years. Mildred was united in marriage to Vernon Dow, June 6, 1934, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead. The couple farmed in the Barnesville and Rothsay area until retiring in 1971 when they moved into Barnesville. Vernon preceded Mildred in death on December 13, 1973. Soon after she began working for Barnesville High School, retiring 10 years later. Mildred was a member or Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Barnesville since 1934 where she was active in the Rachel circle and quilting group. She participated in American Legion, V.F.W., and nursing home auxiliaries, Senior Council for Aging, President of Senior Citizens, Meals on Wheels, and Atherton Home Study. Mildred took pleasure in playing cards, reading, watching the Minnesota Twins, and spending time with her family. She was known for her excellent donuts. She will be remembered as a caring, optimistic, compassionate, and humble woman. Mildred had a strong faith and lived life according to her faith. She gave generously, never expecting anything in return. Mildred is survived by children: Charles (Laura) Dow, Orangevale, CA, and Beverly (Irvin) Aal, Surprise, AZ; daughter-in-law, Susan Dow, Fargo, ND; eight grandchildren: Debra Bellah, Chuck Dow, Don Dow, Pamela Dow, Christopher Aal, Heather Roberts, Jayne Dow, and Benjamin Dow; twelve great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; brothers: Vern Erickson, Fertile, MN, and Roy Erickson, Moorhead, MN; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Minnie; husband, Vernon; son, Gerald; granddaughter, Jacqueline Dow; and brothers, Willard, Roland, and Wayne. Blessed Be The Memory Of Mildred Dow