Dorothy Thornton

Dorothy Eliza Ernestine Dobereiner, the daughter of Lorenz and Dina (Olenkamp) Dobereiner, was born in Robinson, ND, on November 3, 1914. As a young child she moved with her family to the Syre-Ulen, MN, area, where she grew up and received her education. Dorothy confirmed her faith at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, MN.


On September 13, 1934, Dorothy was united in marriage to Franklin H. Thornton, in Syre. Following their marriage they farmed in the Flom, MN, area. In 1939, they moved to a farm near Syre, and in 1941, moved to the "Dobereiner" family home farm, where they farmed until the fall of 1966.


In 1966, the family moved to Bismarck, ND, where Dorothy worked as a housekeeper in private homes and for many years at the Bismarck Hospital School of Nursing. She retired in 1978, and she and Franklin moved to Fargo, ND, to live. In her retirement, Dorothy shared her love of music and musical talent by playing piano and entertaining at many local retirement and nursing homes.


Dorothy died at Meritcare, South University Drive in Fargo, on Tuesday, October 18, 2005, at the age of 90. She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin, who died on March 17, 1985; her parents; and a sister, Florence Hirchert.


Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Frances "Dolly" Monson, Fargo; two grandchildren, Mark Monson, Tacoma, WA, and DiAnn Thompson, Fargo; three great-grandchildren, Elizabeth (Joshua) Rankins, Melanie Murschel and Danté Schwarting; two stepgreat-granddaughters, Rachel Riedl and Rebecca (Jason) Almer; five great-great-grandchildren, Parker and Kaden Rankins, Diandra Riedl, Dallas Castner, and Destiny Riedl.


Visitation: Thursday, 4 PM until 7 PM in
Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead, MN.


Prayer service: Thursday at 7 PM in
Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead, MN.


Funeral service: Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, at 11 AM at
Atonement Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND.


Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND.