Dorothy Smith

Dorothy L. Smith, age 86, of Willmar passed away Tuesday afternoon, January 26th, at Carris Health Rice Memorial Hospital.

A private graveside service will be held at the Lakeview Cemetery in Mahtomedi later this Spring.  Arrangements are with Peterson Bothers Funeral Home.   www.petersonbrothers.com

Dorothy Lucille Smith was born on December 17, 1934, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, the daughter of Walter and Tillie (Olson) Soiney.  She grew up and received her education in Thief River Falls.  She was united in marriage to Ralph George Smith on October 6, 1951.  They made their home in the Twin Cities and she was employed as a waitress most of her life.  Her greatest joy was spending time with friends and family and the occasional pull tabs at the local casino.  In 2010, Dorothy moved to Atwater and in 2015 moved to Willmar.

Among other relatives and friends, she is survived by her daughter Roxanne Bierwerth of Atwater, son-in-law, Dan LaVigne of New Brighton, 7 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren and her sister, Jean Rux of Anoka.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ralph in 1987, her son Jeffrey, her daughter Denise LaVigne, 2 grandchildren, Daniel Bierwerth and Angela Leuer, her brother Clayton Soiney, a son-in-law Norman Bierwerth and a brother-in-law, Clayton Rux.