Cover photo for Dorothy Birdsey's Obituary
Dorothy Birdsey Profile Photo
1926 Dorothy 2004

Dorothy Birdsey

February 6, 1926 — May 18, 2004

uary for Dorothy Jean BirdseyObituary for Dorothy Jean Birdsey



Dorothy Jean Birdsey, age 78, of Albert Lea, died May 18, 2004, at her home in Albert LObituary for Dorothy Jean Birdsey



Dorothy Jean Birdsey, age 78, of Albert Lea, died May 18, 2004, at her home in Albert Lea.



Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 26, at Salem Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Visitation will be at Bonnerup Funeral Service Chapel from 4-7 PM Tuesday, May 25, and one hour prior to the service at the church.



Dorothy was born February 6, 1926, at Rose Creek, MN to Alvin and Myrtle (Johnson) Carlson. She graduated from Rose Creek High School in 1944. She graduated from Winona State College with a teaching degree. Dorothy taught school in Faribault elementary schools and did substitute teaching in the Albert Lea elementary schools.



Dorothy was united in marriage with Roland (Rollie) Birdsey on June 18, 1949, in Austin. They were blessed by the adoption of their son, Bryan, in 1957.



Some of her interests include: reading, travel, needlework, and volunteering in her church and community.



At her church, Salem Lutheran, Dorothy served as a Sunday School and Vacation Church School director and teacher, Alter Guild Director, choir member, circle Bible Study leader, and has held several offices in the women?s organizations. She is noted to be the first woman to serve on Salem?s church council.



Dorothy took an active role not only in her church, but also served as a leader on the St. Peter District and Minnesota Synod level of the Women of the ELCA. She was instrumental in establishing a church library at Salem, served as its librarian, and was a past chairman of the area Librari-Anns. Dorothy grew in her faith as God?s word became alive in her life.



In 1990, Dorothy received the Valiant Woman award from Church Women United, where she has been a representative from her church to the board of CWU;, as well as serving as its president and vice-president.



Dorothy has also been an active member of the American Red Cross, where she has been a blood service chairwoman for the Freeborn County chapter, as well as a board member, and co-chairman of the Bloodmobile. She received a pin for 50 years of volunteering with the Red Cross in 1991, and has been active with the Red Cross until her death.



She has been a member of and held offices in the Albert Lea Travel Class, past president of District One of the Minnesota Federation of Women?s Clubs, and is active with Friends of the Library, and the Shrine Hospital Auxiliary. In 1992, Dorothy received an award for Citizen of the Year in District 241.



Dorothy was preceded in death by her son, Bryan, in 1983, and her husband, Rollie in 1988; and her parents, aunts and uncles.



Dorothy is survived by special friend, Roxanne Rajewsky and her son, Steven, from Blue Earth, and Patti and Peter Regan, with daughters, Emily and Greta, of St. Paul. These two families have been greatly touched by Dorothy?s love, and were privileged to call her ?Grandma?. Dorothy, and her generous heart, will be sadly missed by all who knew her.



Dorothy has requested memorials be sent to Salem Lutheran Church Building Fund in lieu of flowers.

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Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 26, at Salem Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Visitation will be at Bonnerup Funeral Service Chapel from 4-7 PM Tuesday, May 25, and one hour prior to the service at the church.



Dorothy was born February 6, 1926, at Rose Creek, MN to Alvin and Myrtle (Johnson) Carlson. She graduated from Rose Creek High School in 1944. She graduated from Winona State College with a teaching degree. Dorothy taught school in Faribault elementary schools and did substitute teaching in the Albert Lea elementary schools.



Dorothy was united in marriage with Roland (Rollie) Birdsey on June 18, 1949, in Austin. They were blessed by the adoption of their son, Bryan, in 1957.



Some of her interests include: reading, travel, needlework, and volunteering in her church and community.



At her church, Salem Lutheran, Dorothy served as a Sunday School and Vacation Church School director and teacher, Alter Guild Director, choir member, circle Bible Study leader, and has held several offices in the women?s organizations. She is noted to be the first woman to serve on Salem?s church council.



Dorothy took an active role not only in her church, but also served as a leader on the St. Peter District and Minnesota Synod level of the Women of the ELCA. She was instrumental in establishing a church library at Salem, served as its librarian, and was a past chairman of the area Librari-Anns. Dorothy grew in her faith as God?s word became alive in her life.



In 1990, Dorothy received the Valiant Woman award from Church Women United, where she has been a representative from her church to the board of CWU;, as well as serving as its president and vice-president.



Dorothy has also been an active member of the American Red Cross, where she has been a blood service chairwoman for the Freeborn County chapter, as well as a board member, and co-chairman of the Bloodmobile. She received a pin for 50 years of volunteering with the Red Cross in 1991, and has been active with the Red Cross until her death.



She has been a member of and held offices in the Albert Lea Travel Class, past president of District One of the Minnesota Federation of Women?s Clubs, and is active with Friends of the Library, and the Shrine Hospital Auxiliary. In 1992, Dorothy received an award for Citizen of the Year in District 241.



Dorothy was preceded in death by her son, Bryan, in 1983, and her husband, Rollie in 1988; and her parents, aunts and uncles.



Dorothy is survived by special friend, Roxanne Rajewsky and her son, Steven, from Blue Earth, and Patti and Peter Regan, with daughters, Emily and Greta, of St. Paul. These two families have been greatly touched by Dorothy?s love, and were privileged to call her ?Grandma?. Dorothy, and her generous heart, will be sadly missed by all who knew her.



Dorothy has requested memorials be sent to Salem Lutheran Church Building Fund in lieu of flowers.





Dorothy Jean Birdsey, age 78, of Albert Lea, died May 18, 2004, at her home in Albert Lea.



Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 26, at Salem Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Visitation will be at Bonnerup Funeral Service Chapel from 4-7 PM Tuesday, May 25, and one hour prior to the service at the church.



Dorothy was born February 6, 1926, at Rose Creek, MN to Alvin and Myrtle (Johnson) Carlson. She graduated from Rose Creek High School in 1944. She graduated from Winona State College with a teaching degree. Dorothy taught school in Faribault elementary schools and did substitute teaching in the Albert Lea elementary schools.



Dorothy was united in marriage with Roland (Rollie) Birdsey on June 18, 1949, in Austin. They were blessed by the adoption of their son, Bryan, in 1957.



Some of her interests include: reading, travel, needlework, and volunteering in her church and community.



At her church, Salem Lutheran, Dorothy served as a Sunday School and Vacation Church School director and teacher, Alter Guild Director, choir member, circle Bible Study leader, and has held several offices in the women?s organizations. She is noted to be the first woman to serve on Salem?s church council.



Dorothy took an active role not only in her church, but also served as a leader on the St. Peter District and Minnesota Synod level of the Women of the ELCA. She was instrumental in establishing a church library at Salem, served as its librarian, and was a past chairman of the area Librari-Anns. Dorothy grew in her faith as God?s word became alive in her life.



In 1990, Dorothy received the Valiant Woman award from Church Women United, where she has been a representative from her church to the board of CWU;, as well as serving as its president and vice-president.



Dorothy has also been an active member of the American Red Cross, where she has been a blood service chairwoman for the Freeborn County chapter, as well as a board member, and co-chairman of the Bloodmobile. She received a pin for 50 years of volunteering with the Red Cross in 1991, and has been active with the Red Cross until her death.



She has been a member of and held offices in the Albert Lea Travel Class, past president of District One of the Minnesota Federation of Women?s Clubs, and is active with Friends of the Library, and the Shrine Hospital Auxiliary. In 1992, Dorothy received an award for Citizen of the Year in District 241.


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