Dorothea Mae Norgaard

Dorothea Mae Smith Norgaard of Good Samaritan Center in Arthur, North Dakota, died Tuesday evening, January 22, 2014. Dorothea, eldest child, was born to Clarence Arnold and Roselin Smith Sr, July 22, 1925, at Howard, South Dakota. At a young age, she was initiated to the railroad system by getting her first ride by going home to Council Bluffs, Iowa. She lived and grew up surrounded by a large family and great love. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School, while working at a war plant making crystals (batteries) for radios. She loved her independence, working, and spending time with her friends going to the movies, shopping and socializing. After the war, she met Roy K. Norgaard, who was discharged from the Navy and visiting his brother before going home to North Dakota. They became a couple and soon married. After the birth of their daughter they moved to the prairies of North Dakota. Dort learned many things about the prairie, Scandinavian’s and winter weather. Dort was known for the great amount of love for her family, taking pictures, flowers, her chocolate chip cookies, (blue ribbon Winter Show) love of playing cards, bowling and dancing. She loved to help her family, and be involved in family adventures. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents, Clarence and Rose; brother, CA Smith Jr. “June”, and many friends.

They had two daughters, Pamela (Gordon) Sundstrom, Colorado Springs, CO, and Patricia (Richard “Skip”) of Fargo, ND. Seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren enjoyed the love and memories provided by Grandma Dort. She is also survived by her sister Eleanor, Omaha, NE; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Dorthy Norgaard of Finley, ND and numerous nephews and nieces around the US.

Stories will surely circulate for years regarding the adventures of Dorothea. She was one for the books who loved making memories, generally a lot funnier for us than her! God bless Dorothea Mae Smith Norgaard and her memory!

Dorothea's video tribute can be viewed at http://www.philpetersonproductions.com/hr-memorials.htm