Dewey Dooyema

Long time resident of Leota, Minnesota, Dewey Dooyema, age 91, was received in the arms of the Lord on Sunday June 20, 2021 while residing at the Good Samaritan Society Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne, Minnesota.  Born to Clarence & Mina (Berghorst) Dooyema on April 9, 1930 near Leota, Minnesota on the Family Farm.  He attended  Country School in Leota and graduated from Edgerton, Minnesota High School.

Dewey was united in marriage to Doris Sundem on August 9, 1953 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, MN. Following their marriage, they moved to Fort Lewis, WA while Dewey proudly served in the United States Army. Following his service they moved to the family farm near Leota, MN.  This is where they made their “home” and resided happily for sixty years. Their marriage was blessed with four children; Diane, Douglas, David, and Denise.

Dewey took pride and was involved in his community.  He dedicated his God-given talents and served faithfully on the Edgerton Public High School Board, Luverne/Kenneth Elevator Board, and the Production Credit Association Board. He also sold DeKalb Seed Corn in the area for years. He was also actively involved with the Kenneth Lutheran Church in Kenneth until its closing.

Dewey will be lovingly remembered by his 3 children and their spouses, Diane (Dan) Staeffler, Rapid City; Doug (Pam) Dooyema, Luverne; and Denise (Ben) Padilla, Houston, Texas; 14 grandchildren, Dustin (Brook) Staeffler, Danielle (Zach) Gimpel, Andrew Dooyema, Katie (Jordan) Kopp, Amanda (Brad) Bullerman, Kelsey. (Jake) Hendricks, Sam (Jackie) Dooyema, Elijah, Naomi, Jeremiah, & Jedidiah Dooyema, Shantel VanSanten, Jessye (Zac) Kellogg, and Benjamin J-H Padilla.  He had 10 great-grandchildren: Bree Staeffler, Piper, Cash & Oliver Gimpel, Ellianna & Hudson Kopp, Olivia, Micah, Mason, & Hadley Bullerman.

His two sisters, Angeline Ruiter of Sioux Falls, SD, and Carol (Jim) Null of Farmington, MN.

He was preceded in death by his wife Doris Evon (Sundem) his parents, son David, his brother John Dooyema, granddaughter Beatrice Padilla and great-granddaughter Hanna Dooyema.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking you to donate to Team Double D at the American Lung Association or Luverne Hospice.

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