Dorothy E Lye

Dorothy Evelyn Lye, age 91, was born September 22, 1924 to Henry and Marie (Hatlelid) Erickson in Swenoda Township, Swift County, Minnesota. She was baptized at Swenoda Lutheran Church and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Benson. Dorothy attended country school at District 49 and graduated from Benson High School in 1942. Following graduation, she was employed by Rangaards Café and for the County Superintendent of Schools in Benson before becoming employed as an office worker in Minneapolis, MN.  During WWII, Dorothy was employed as a “Rosie the Riveter” at a Bomber Plant in Cleveland, Ohio.

On June 7, 1947 Dorothy was united in marriage to Robert Lye by Rev. H. Nashiem at Swenoda Lutheran Church. She and Bob operated the Lye family farm in Swenoda Township, rural Danvers and raised their two children there. They moved to Benson in 1984.

Dorothy was a long time member of West Bank Lutheran Church in West Bank Township. She was a devoted member, teaching Sunday School and was active in Ladies Aid. After West Bank Church closed she and Bob became members of Our Redeemers Lutheran Church in Benson. Among the things Dorothy enjoyed were dancing, playing cards, fishing, going for drives, watching the Minnesota Twins, and traveling to various parts of the country with Bob. Dorothy was called from this life on Monday morning, July 18, at the Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of 69 years, her children Rodney (Sandra) Lye of Danvers and Diane (David) Dieter of Montevideo; grandchildren Jenny (Craig) Lingen of Hankinson, ND, Molly (Jered) Field of Montevideo, MN, Jed Lye, Samuel (Sirocco) Lye and Thomas (Kelsi) Lye all of Benson, great-grandchildren Joshua, Ethan, Ivy, Josie, Briggs and Bennett, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents; brothers Herbert and Lester Erickson; sisters Ella VanOrt and Orla Grimm; sisters in law, Idella Erickson; Helen, Clara, Esther and Mildred Lye; Anne Lye; Agnes Josephine Ohmacht; brothers in law Walter Ohmacht, Paul Grimm, Burton VanOrt; Bennie, Erling, Jack, Arthur and Elmer Lye.