On August 7, 2026, Dorothy Ann Gjere entered into heaven and joined the love of her life, Harlan.
Dorothy was born October 2, 1934, to Henry and Bernadine (Gossman) Stortz at their rural Henrytown home, the fourth of eight children.
She started her education at the Henrytown country school, then at Newburg school when the family moved, and graduated from Mabel High School in 1952. Following graduation, Dorothy attended nurse’s training under the strict guidance of the nuns at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Upon completion, she worked as a nurse at St. Olaf Hospital in Austin, Minnesota.
In July 1951, Dorothy met Harlan Gjere, Sr. and they dated until September 22, 1955, when they were united in marriage at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel. They were the first couple married at the church.
Dorothy and Harlan worked the Gjere family farm near Highlandville, Iowa, for 37 years. Dorothy helped with the farm chores, raised chickens, grew humongous gardens, harvesting and canning the produce. She enjoyed baking, especially her homemade bread. Dorothy had many talents, including decorating cakes at K & S Grocery in Decorah. She was skilled in handcrafts, including crochet, sewing, knitting, tatting and more. She once crocheted an altar cloth for St. Olaf church, which was sadly lost in a fire. Machine knitting was her joy for years and she was often referred to as the Knitting Lady.
Her personality was one of serving, strong in her faith of giving, and helping others. Family was most important to her; always lending a listening ear and sage advice. Dorothy shared whatever she had to help those in need, offering love and acceptance to all. Although she lost her eyesight in the latter years, she continued to challenge herself to be independent and take care of others.
In 1992, Dorothy and Harlan moved to Mabel and worked as custodial staff at North Winneshiek School until retirement. They were a team from the time they met, until Harlan’s passing in 2025. Now they are together again for eternity.
Dorothy is survived by her children Harlan, Jr. (Roxanne), Steven (Denise), Cheryl (Brian), Linda (Blaine), Laurie, Brenda, Nancy, and Lavonne (Mike); 21 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, sisters Marjorie Welscher and Nellie Kruse, brother Darrell (Sharon) Stortz, numerous nieces and nephews and many precious cousins.
Preceding Dorothy is her beloved husband Harlan Gjere, Sr., her parents Henry and Bernadine Stortz, brothers Joseph (Leona), Erwin (Virginia), Lawrence (Gayle); sister Mary Lucille Bahr; in-laws Jerome (Clarice) Gjere, Maynard (Sandra) Gjere; father and mother in-law Alvin and Hattie Gjere, granddaughter Nicole, and great-grandson Xavier.
The family is grateful to St. Croix Hospice for their care and compasson for Dorothy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to Services for the Blind, St. Benedict’s Cemetery Fund, or a charity of their choice.
Visitation will be 4–6 p.m., Friday, August 14 at the St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel and one hour prior to the service at the church in Decorah.
Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 15, 2026, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, Iowa. Burial will be in the St. Benedict Cemetery in Decorah.
The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.
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