Obituary of Dorothy Marie Molstad

Dorothy Marie Molstad was born April 11,1942 in Duluth, Minnesota to Donald and Helen (Wilson) Maddox. The smaller baby of identical twin girls, she was given the longer name. She is preceded in death by her sister, Donna May Naeve (Jim). Dorothy’s struggle with multiple health challenges ended on April 8, 2022, just three days before her birthday. Her daughters were at her side and she left knowing how very loved she was.

Dorothy was a mulit-faceted woman who lived a full life in her nearly 80 years. She became a mother at a young age, deferring college until her daughters, Kathy (Cote) Rogers (Tim) and Jenny (Cote) Geisler (Jeff) started school. In one of Dorothy’s poems, written in the 1970’s, she described this time in her life, and her commute to school and back, as: “traveling from Mommy-hood to Dorothy-hood and back home.” She accomplished much in both roles and also as Grandma Dorothy to her first grandchild, Chris Geisler (Jes) and later as Grandma Oma to Michael and Maggie Rogers. She had unique relationships with each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Rei and Cam, and shared a special friendship with her partner Harry Jebens. She will live on in our memories of times spent together.

Throughout her lifetime, Dorothy was a Daughter, Twin Sister, Cousin, Niece, Wife, Mom, Mommy, Aunt, Grandma Dorothy, Grandma Oma, Great Grandma, Partner and Friend. Over the years she engaged in a variety of activities and adventures as she took on an ever-expanding variety of roles. She was an A+ Student, Girl Scout Leader, Dental Assistant, Kindergarten Teacher, Art Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Community Education Instructor, Volunteer Coordinator, Marketing Executive, Career-Woman, Entrepreneur, Author, Poet, World Traveler, Stained Glass Artist, Crafter, Seamstress, Paint-by-Number Artist, Golfer, Fisherwoman, Skier, Midwest Independent Publishers Association (MIPA) President, ‘Let’s Go Fishing’ Volunteer of the Year, Renaissance Fair Volunteer, Minnesota River Valley Historical Society Volunteer, Stillwater Charter Commission Member, Rotarian, Stillwater Hospital Volunteer, Special Equestrians Volunteer, PACER Board Member, Maplewood Parks and Recreation Volunteer, Superbowl Volunteer, Urbana Senior Living Welcome Committee Volunteer, Organic Farmer, Decorator, Chef, Hostess, Party-Planner Extraordinaire, Politically Aware Progressive Ally, Dollar Store Shopper, Certified Atheist Wedding Officiant, Neighbor, Pet Lover and an avid Collector of: owls, violets, kaleidoscopes, Wizard of Oz Dorothy dolls, ruby red slippers, fine and funky jewelry and Christmas Village Houses. Above all else, Dorothy was a collector of experiences, adventures and of friends. Dorothy had a diverse collection of friends (and she could also be a name-dropper!). She had photos with Bill Clinton, Anwar Sadat, Sid Hartman, Mike Lynch, Bob Lurtzema and the cast of Law and Order. Dorothy was always a Book Lover and as a Publicist she marketed what became a favorite book of hers, ‘The Next Place’ written by her friend, Warren Hanson.

“I will travel empty-handed. There is not a single thing I have collected in my life that I would ever want to bring except… the love of those who loved me, and the warmth of those who cared. The happiness and memories and magic that we shared… All these good things will go with me. They will make my spirit glow. And that light will shine forever, in the next place that I go.”

An Open House

Celebrating Dorothy’s Life

will be held on

May 20th, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm

at the

St.Paul location of the Minnesota Cremation Society.

1979 Old Hudson Rd

St. Paul, MN 55119

Dorothy’s legacy is one of volunteerism. If you are inspired by her dedication to helping others, please consider honoring her by donating your time in your community. Or, if you choose, make a donation to an organization mentioned above in her name. Thank you.

Donations in Dorthy's name for St Croix Let’s Go Fishing group can be made at:  

https://stcroixvalley.lgfws.com/donations/