The funeral for Dolores Sande will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, officiated by Pastor Norman Wahl. Burial will be in Arendahl Cemetery in rural Peterson. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to  7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, in the River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home, Rochester, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Dolores, 85, died peacefully at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, where she remained after sustaining serious injuries in a Christmas Day vehicle crash along with her niece and her family. The incident followed two days of joy celebrating Christmas with family.

Dolores was born at home May 14, 1929, to Bernhard "Ben" and Karina (Bremmer) Sande in rural Peterson, on a drizzly, rainy day. She was the oldest of six children. She attended Boyum Country School through sixth grade. Dolores was confirmed in November 1943, at Arendahl Lutheran Church. She graduated from Peterson High School in 1946. Following high school she attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, graduating in 1949. She worked as a parish secretary at Decorah Lutheran Church in Decorah, Iowa, followed by St. John's Lutheran Church in Northfield, and Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Canby. Later in life she attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and graduated from Winona State University in 1967 with a degree in elementary education. She began her teaching career in Rochester, at Holmes Elementary School where she taught third grade for 26 years, retiring in 1993.

Dolores will be remembered by those who loved her as having a curious mind. She was always interested in what others were doing and believed in life-long learning. She was devoted to helping others and teaching children. Her generosity and caring heart were embodied by her support to many charities. She enjoyed genealogy, travel, hiking, nature, reading, baking, and volunteering in the church library. She also enjoyed the time she spent with her church Lydia Circle, her retired teacher's group, and her sorority, ADK.

Dolores is survived by her sisters, Bernice (Eugene) Hanson of Peterson; Charlene (Gerhard) Hegland of St. Charles; Olive Ann (Karrol) Boyum of Rushford; and Winifred (Carrol) Johnson of Northfield. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, Joleen Hegland Mainz, James Hegland, Julie Hignel, Beth McFadden, Kathryn Ogier, Daniel Hanson, Peggy Olson, Kristi Conway, Kent Boyum, Karla Lind, Tanya Johnson, Karleen Breckenridge, Craig Johnson and Sarah Johnson; along with many treasured grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents and her young brother, Wesley.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Dolores' name to Bethel Lutheran Church Library Fund, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, or to donor's choice.