Dorothy Skaalerud

Dorothy Mae Skaalerud, age 86, of Willmar, passed away Saturday morning, May 1, at Bethesda Grand Nursing Home in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 6, at First Lutheran Church of Norway Lake.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorial to the family are preferred.  Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Dorothy Mae Skaalerud was born on May 19, 1934, in Lake Lillian, Minnesota, the daughter of Henry and Adella (Buchholz) Noor.  She grew up in Murdock and graduated from Murdock High School in 1952.  She worked for the Federal Government for 2 1/2 years and then at Parsons Welding.  On May 7, 1955, in Milbank, South Dakota, Dorothy was united in marriage to Harlan “Jerome” Skaalerud.  They lived in Hopkins, Norway Lake, Brooten and Willmar.  She was employed for over 18 years as a cashier at Wal-Mart in Willmar.  Dorothy also volunteered at the New 2 You Thrift Store and finally retired at the age of 81.  She enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening and canning foods.  She also enjoyed watching the shows Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, The Voice and America’s Got Talent on the TV.  Dorothy’s grandchildren and great grandchildren meant everything to her.  She will be best remembered for her compassionate heart, strong faith and being a loving homemaker.

She is survived by her four children, Bryan Skaalerud of Willmar, Eddie Skaalerud of Minneapolis, Mari Jo (and Paul) Stortroen of Willmar and Heidi Skaalerud (and fiancé, Gary Peterson, Jr.) of Willmar; five grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; three step-grandchildren and numerous extended grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Also surviving are five brothers, William (and Dorothy) Noor of Mound, Ellsworth (and Vicky) Noor of Bloomington, Gerald Noor of Willmar, Stanley Noor of Willmar and Kevin (and Janice) Noor of Everett, WA.; one sister, Gloria (and LeRoy) Bridgeland of Hopkins and one sister-in-law, Kathy Noor of Hopkins, besides numerous other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerome in 2006; one granddaughter, Jessica Halle; one great grandson, Sawyer Peppin; two brothers, Richard and Roger Noor; six sisters, Arlene Leuze, Lucille Priebe, Marilyn Leuze and Phyllis Junker, Bernice Colvin and Sheryl Klassen, and her best friend, Marlene Radunz.