Dorothy Rekken

Dorothy Hazel (Hallick) Rekken, 94, Fargo, ND, passed peacefully on Saturday, January 30, at The Evergreens of Fargo. Dorothy was born August 4, 1921 near St. Francois Xavier, Manitoba, Canada to Julius and Pauline ‘Hazel’ (Rattai) Hallick. She grew up on a farm by Starbuck, Manitoba where she attended school through 11th grade. While in high school she played women’s league baseball and played hockey with her uncles. Dorothy then moved to Winnipeg for 12th grade graduating from Jon Bjornson Academy. While working at the Hudson Bay Company, she attended Success Business College.

Dorothy married Oswald ‘Ozzie’ Rekken of Horace, ND, September 27, 1947 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1950, she became a citizen of the United States. They made their home in north Fargo. Together Dorothy and Ozzie built a cottage on Lake Lizzie, near Pelican Rapids, MN. They had 3 children, June, Steven and Shirley. Ozzie passed away in 1972.

Dorothy was a supervisor and ophthalmic assistant in the eye department at Fargo Clinic for 24 years, retiring in 1983. Dorothy was a founder of the Fargo Clinic Retirees Club. She coordinated the Association for Retired Federal Persons and volunteered at the Sons of Norway. She was a church representative for Church Women United in Fargo and a member of Messiah Lutheran Church since 1951. There she was active in Bible Studies and Women’s Circle. Gardening was one of her favorite activites.

Dorothy is survived by 2 daughters, June (David) Sanders, Moorhead, MN, and Shirley (Alan) Sundeen, Chaska, MN, daughter-in-law Charlotte Rekken, Fergus Falls, MN, 9 grandchildren, Amy (Neil) Legatt and Scott (Natasha) Sanders, of Moorhead, MN, Michael (Rebecca) Sanders, Osage, MN, Branden (Sarah) Rekken and Brett Rekken, of Fergus Falls, MN, Brian (Heather) Rekken of Midland, Michigan, Jim Erickson, St. Louis Park, MN, Anne (Jeffrey) Peterson and Ross (Lisa) Erickson, of Pelican Rapids, MN, 13 great-grandchildren, Eden and Ryan Legatt, Alexander, Hunter and Madysen Sanders, Hailey, Grace and Megan Peterson, Brodie and Allie Sanders, Carter Deyle, Trysten Rekken and Kazlyn Erickson, her brother Barry (Pat) Hallick of Transcona, Manitoba and special friends, Avis Gustafson, Rosie Grindeland, and Florence Holmen.

She is now reunited with her parents, her husband Ozzie, her son Steven, brother George Hallick, sister Frances Hannon, and several other beloved family and friends.