Dorothy Marie (Torkelson) Fauser, originally of Elgin, Iowa passed away Sunday, August 28, 2022 at Stoney Brook Village in West Union, Iowa.
Dorothy Marie Torkelson, the daughter of Oliver and Reva (Swenson) Torkelson was born January 26, 1929 on her Grandma & Grampa Swenson’s farm. She graduated from Elgin High School, where she was a cheerleader. After high school she graduated from the Iowa School of Beauty in Des Moines, Iowa. Dorothy then worked in a Beauty Shop in Oelwein, Iowa, where she met a handsome guy named Don Fauser. (Don always told their children that Dorothy chased him & he tripped, but they all knew that the truth, he spotted Dorothy & it was love at first sight!) Dorothy later had a Beauty Shop in Postville, Iowa until her marriage.
Dorothy was united in marriage with Don Leroy Fauser on July 24, 1949 at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont, Iowa. Don & Dorothy lived in Elgin, Iowa, where eight children were born to their union. They shared an amazing 64 years together until Don’s death in 2013.
Dorothy was a member of the Elgin Lutheran Church and was active in their Ladies Aide and Sunday School. She was also a member of the Tertia Club and Questers. Don and Dorothy had a large group of close friends, with whom they enjoyed a Card Club and many trips to Canada for fishing. They also traveled to other exciting destinations, including California, Sun Valley, Hawaii, Mexico and Australia.
Dorothy’s family was the center of her life. She loved sewing Halloween & Homecoming costumes for the kids, planning amazing birthday parties and attending all their sports, concerts & events. She also acted in & did hair and makeup for many of the Homecoming Productions. As the family grew, she was a fabulous, caring Grandma, sharing special times with each grandchild. She was an awesome cook & made the best potato salad ever!
Pfeffer Parties were a special part of Don & Dorothy’s lives, bringing the whole family together for fun (and serious competition!). Dorothy continued to enjoy playing cards with her friends at Stoney Brook, and everyone at Stoney Brook became a second family to her.
Dorothy also enjoyed her Norwegian heritage. Every Christmas, with her sisters & Mother she made special Norwegian delicacies, including pastries, lefse, lutefisk and krub. The family also sang the ‘Norwegian Alphabet Song’ at all celebrations! Dorothy could still sing this in the last days of her life.
Dorothy is survived by 5 children, Paul (Kendra) Fauser of Elgin, Becky (Bob Strong) Mathews of Coralville, Jill (Dave) Strong of Cedar Falls, Lisa Wedo of Marion and Lori (Rod) Marlatt of Elgin; 13 grandchildren, Robin, Vanessa (Chris), Kirk (Angie), Samantha (Lorenzo), Cody (Reilly), JoDee, Jessica (Danny), Jennifer, Jason (Jen), Joshua (Wendy), Joe (Lacey), Michael (Jena) and Mallory (Tim); 17 great-grandchildren. Spenser, Andrew, Kenlin, Cole, Charlie, Asami, Samantha, Layla, Max, Ozz, Zach (Bethany), Ethan, Ryan, Madison, Maleah, Jaime and Eva; 3 great-greatgrandchildren, Gracie, Carson and Mason; 2 sisters, Delores Everett and Janice Johanson and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Don, 3 children, Mark, Kirk and their little angel, her parents, Oliver & Reva, a brother, Wayne Torkelson and a sister, Norma Bloomer.
A Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Sunday, September 11, 2022 at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Elgin, Iowa.
A Private Funeral will be held.
Inurnment with be in the Elgin Cemetery, Elgin, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangement.