Dorothy Albertsen

Dorothy Mae Albertsen, 95, of Ashby, Minnesota, passed away Friday, May 30, 2025, at the Barrett Care Center in Barrett, MN. Dorothy’s funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Peace Lutheran Church in Ashby. There will be a visitation one hour prior. Burial will take place at Pelican Lake Cemetery.

Dorothy Mae Woltjer was born on August 9, 1929, to Dick and Gertrude (Frikken) Woltjer. She was born in their home on Ten Mile Lake, which is still standing today. Dorothy attended Elbow Lake High School and graduated in 1941. After graduation, she worked at the Elbow Lake Hotel, and as a nanny.

On October 9, 1950, Dorothy married Arthur Albertsen at the Hjerdal Lutheran Church of rural Elbow Lake. The couple made their home on the family farm outside of Ashby, and was blessed with one child, Anita. Dorothy enjoyed being a farm wife. She was also very active within her church and ladies’ circles. Dorothy and Arthur would go on to live in that home for the next 64 years, the entire span of their marriage. As a couple, they enjoyed dancing and being out in nature. They had milk cows, chickens, and a garden which they would take their farm fresh products to the local farmer’s market to sell. Dorothy always made sure the freshest always went to the market.

Although she enjoyed gardening with her husband, flower gardens were more Dorothy’s style. She had multiple flower beds. She would bring bouquets of gladiolas for the church altar on Sundays. With all of the flowers, she attracted many hummingbirds and butterflies that brought her joy. Dorothy was an avid collector of chickens and had many figurines. She was also quite the baker, with brownies and donuts you could taste the love in.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Anita Michels; grandsons, Galin Michels, Roman (Cheryl) Michels and their family; sister, Roberta Vegoe; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Gertrude; husband, Arthur; siblings, Betty, Fred, Bill, and Helen; brother-in-law, Howard Vegoe.