Betty Jo Dorschner
Sunday, September 26, 1926
Date of Death:
Friday, April 21, 2023
Age:
96 years old
Sunday, September 26, 1926
Date of Death:
Friday, April 21, 2023
Age:
96 years old
Sunday, September 26, 1926
Date of Death:
Friday, April 21, 2023
Age:
96 years old
Betty Jo Dorschner
Betty Jo Dorschner died Friday, April 21, 2023, at Rochester East Health Services.
Betty Jo was born September 26, 1926, near Springview, Nebraska to Edwin and Cecile White. She moved 9 times before graduating high school in 1944. She took a train from Nebraska to Rochester, MN where she entered Saint Mary’s School of Nursing as a Student Army Cadet Nurse during World War II. After graduation she worked at St. Mary’s Hospital. In 1947 she met her husband-to-be, Ollie Dorschner, and they were married November 13, 1948, in Jackson, MN, Ollie’s hometown. They resided in Rochester where she was a stay-at-home mom (except for a short period of working as a private duty nurse) until 1968. She then went back to work as an RN at St. Mary’s Hospital in the Neuro Unit while taking evening classes at RCC toward a BS in Education. In 1969-1970 she was a part-time Clinical Nursing Instructor with the 3-year St. Mary’s School of Nursing RN program. In 1970 she was hired by Rochester Technical Institute to develop and teach a Secondary Health Occupation program for Rochester High School Jr/Sr Students. 1974-1979 she developed and taught the Nursing Assistant Program. In 1976 she got her BS in Education at Winona State. In 1980 she got her Masters in Administration at the Univ. of MN. 1980-1989 she was the Coordinator of the Health & Home Economics Division RAVTI. She retired in 1989.
She continued to live in Rochester keeping busy having coffee and playing cards with her lifelong friends and spending as much time as she could with her kids and grandkids. She was a Hospice volunteer for 7 years, was a volunteer at Samaritan Bethany Home and volunteered at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Betty Jo traveled, loved reading mysteries, gardening, sewing, knitting, photography, the sun and watching her son play hockey.
She is survived by her daughters, Linda Dorschner (Anne Green) and Sharon Enblom of Rochester, MN and Mary Jo Luedtke (Mark) of Hastings, MN; her son, Steven Dorschner (Valerie) of St. Paul, MN; 8 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Ollie, parents, brother Gene, adopted sister Marie, two sisters-in-law, and one brother-in-law.
The funeral service for Betty Jo will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, May 1, 2023, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with Fr. Michael Churchill officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the serviced at the chapel. A luncheon is planned following the service. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rochester, MN.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or Rochester East Health Center in memory of Betty Jo.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Betty Jo Dorschner has received the following condolences.
Hi Linda and Ann … I’m writing this from Florida where Bruce and I are taking care of my mom for another two weeks. I wish I could be at the service tomorrow… I know your mom was really important to you, Linda. You supported her and cared for her. I’m sure you will miss her.
Love, Jen
Another great mom in heaven. Hopefully the girls are having coffee, smiling down on us all. Hugs to the Dorschner family.
Another great mom in heaven. Hopefully the girls are having coffee, smiling down on us all. Hugs to the Dorschner family.
Another great mom in heaven. Hopefully the girls are having coffee, smiling down on us all. Hugs to the Dorschner family.
Dear Family,
I taught Health Occupations at the Voc Tech . Betty Jo was a great administrator, one of the best. Enjoyed her stories and smile.
Maggie
O’Connell Nolte
Dearest Linda, Sharon, Mary Jo and Stevie,
I am so grateful that for most of my childhood, I grew up two houses away from the Dorschner's. I consider myself the fourth daughter. Betty Joe was a second mom to me who taught me how to sew , bake, cook, and work in the garden. Lifelong skills that remain with me today. She was the neighborhood nurse who calmly and with authority, kindness and knowledge addressed every emergency with efficiency. Often driving the injured party (me) to the emergency room.
Mostly, I am grateful for the phone call in the 90s telling me I needed to fly home because my dad wasn't going to make it much longer. I left that evening from Hawaii arriving in Rochester later the next day. I had that precious evening alone with my mom and dad never realizing it would be the last. Early the next morning, my dad went into a coma and died later that evening.
The photo you chose for her memorial truly captured her essence. I will cherish my memories of Betty Joe forever. So very sorry I won't be at her service. May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. A perfect day for her celebration of life. I will be thinking of all of you.
with fond aloha,
Marita (Barck) Salassa
Dear Family,
I taught Health Occupations at the Voc Tech . Betty Jo was a great administrator, one of the best. Enjoyed her stories and smile.
Maggie
O’Connell Nolte
Dear Linda and Anne, We are so sorry to read about your Mother’s death. She was beautiful and lived a long and interesting life. I know how caring you were to her and that there will be an empty spot in your heart. Memories and sharing stories are a healing tribute to all who mourn ❤️❤️
Dorschner family - My words are empty but my memories of Betty Jo are many. I remember as a little girl walking with my mom to have coffee time with Honore and Betty Jo. I loved them both as I am sure my mom did. Beautiful backyards with tons of flowers. May your memories of your wonderful mom ease your grief and remember that Betty Jo and Ollie are together again. Blessings and peace to you all. Sincerely, Jeanne (Trusty) Vehrenkamp
Linda,
So sorry to see this news about your Mom. Tough to lose your parents. What a full and wonderful life.
Blessed be the memory of your sweet Mom.
Linda and Family:
That beautiful photo of Betty Jo is exactly the way I remember my colleague and friend. She wore that smile almost constantly, combined with an ever-present twinkle in her eye, looks could be deceiving. The Betty Jo I remember was a terrific administrator, always professional, well-prepared, organized and caring. She advocated and supported her faculty, staff and students. I learned a great deal from Betty Jo, considered her a role model and will be forever grateful of our time together at the "Vo-Tech." Celebrate her life by cherishing the many fond memories. In thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy.
I am so sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers are with you! Heaven gained another beautiful angel! I had the immense pleasure of getting to know Betty Jo while she lived at Arbor Terrace. She wanted to write her memoirs and didn't have a way to type them up. So she asked me to help her out. I enjoyed reading her memories while I typed them for her. She was such a joy to be around and always had a big smile for everyone! The obituary picture you chose is perfect - just as I remember her with the beautiful smile! Take care, Janet Hofschulte from Samaritan Bethany
Dear Steve and family,
I am sorry to hear of your mom’s death. It seems she lived a full and good life. I hope you can cherish and hold dearly the many great memories you have with her, even as you mourn her passing.
Steve, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other; I hope you’re doing well. Your family is in my prayers.
Linda,
May your mother's memory be eternal. You have lots of years to remember. May this day be blessed for both of you!
Marlys
A lifetime of memories and friendship ~ heartfelt condolences ~ Peace, Love ?❤️
Carol