DOROTHY CLARA

Age 98, passed away at home on December 5, 2010. She was cared for by Peggy and Brian for the last months of her life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, her parents, Peter & Mary Klaers, her 3 sisters, Agnes, Marie and Sister Dorothy, SSND. She is survived by Brian Van Beusekom (Peggy), Loretto; Bonnie Kennedy (Jerry), Mound; grandchildren: Victoria Van Beusekom (Arturo Cruz) Loretto; Valerie Van Beusekom, Cloquet; Vanessa Van Beusekom, Irvine, CA; Ted Van Beusekom, Loretto, B.J. Van Beusekom , Loretto, Megan Sweerin (Eric), Cokato; and Rachel Ruis (Jason), Milaca. Great grandchildren: Sophia , Aiden, Clara, Hannah, Cole, Vaughn, Olivia, Erin, Lauren.

Dorothy was an active life long member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church as an educator, choir member, president of the Christian Mothers, president of the St. Michael Deanery CCW, vice-chairman of ACCW and a quilter. She grew up on the family farm in Loretto and lived there her entire life. She told stories of going to the woods with her sisters and spending time reading stories sitting in tree branches. In the late 1950s, Fr. Piechel requested that Dorothy become the coordinator of the religious education classes. She was the director of Religious Education for 17 years and taught religious education classes for 22 years. Dorothy was active in the Catholic Aid Association and in 1998 received a Community Service Award from the CAA. Dorothy loved music and often you could hear old LP”s of Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals emanating from her living room. (or the Twins game!) She always had music on her piano and in the piano bench. She sang with the Sts. Peter and Paul Choir for many years and enjoyed the fellowship of making music with others. Dorothy was an active member of the Council of Catholic Women (CCW) and a leader of this group from 1957-1959. She was also active in the church”s quilting group. Many of these quilts were donated to places of need such as Caring and Sharing Hands, St. Agnes Center and Appalachian Missions (CCW projects). Now many of these quilts are sold or raffled during parish events. Dorothy relished spending time in the Adoration Chapel at Sts. Peter and Paul. Her zeal for the Catholic faith was truly evident throughout her life.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, December 11 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Loretto, Minnesota. Memorials preferred to Church or to the Ridgeview Hospice Foundation.