Dorothy Simensen

Dorothy Dyer (Whiteside) Simensen, 94, of Duluth, died Friday, October 27, 2017 at the Benedictine Living Community. She was born on May 10, 1923 in Cook, MN to Lawrence Albert “Ab” and Henrietta “Nellie” (Anderson) Whiteside. Dorothy graduated from Cook High School and earned a degree in Nursing from St. Luke’s Hospital. She was an Army Veteran of World War II, serving as First Lieutenant in Guam as a nurse. Following her military service, she returned to Cook, MN and was the office nurse for Dr. Heiam from 1946-48. Dorothy married Clarence “Si” Simensen at the Covenant Church in Cook on October 2, 1948. They moved to Duluth where she was the head nurse at the St. Luke’s Nursery which was named in honor of the Whiteside Family “St. Luke’s Whiteside Nursery”. She retired as a supervising nurse at Miller-Dwan Hospital. Dorothy was past president of the Duluth Diabetes Association, a member of the Sons of Norway and the Bell Telephone Pioneer Club. Dorothy was a member of First Lutheran Church for the last 59 years, active with the Alter Guild, and as Library assistant. She also enjoyed Bible Study at First Lutheran and with the Community Bible Study. She loved spending time at her cabin on Lake Vermilion with family and friends. Her interests included knitting, sewing and gardening.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Si and her five siblings, Lydia Barker, Grace Martin, Jack, Tom and Richard Whiteside. She is survived by her children, Robert (Kristen) of Virginia, MN, Craig (Marcia Chabot) of Duluth, Mary Ledin (Jeff Kirsch) of Duluth and Philip (Lisa) of Cook, MN; 12 grandchildren, Maija, Lindsey, Spencer, Garrett, Dan, Hillary, Sarah, Cy, Parker, David, Cole and Steven; 12 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service Friday, November 3, 2017 at First Lutheran Church, 1100 East Superior St. Pastor Dianne Loufman officiating. Burial in Park Hill Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Duluth Honor Guard. Memorials to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215, would be appreciated. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home. 600 East Second Street. 218-727-3555