Dorothy’s Funeral Service will be 10 a.m., Friday, June 13, 2025 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, New England with Rev. Beth Parks officiating. Interment will follow at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Cemetery, New England. Visitation will ONLY be one hour prior to the service at the church. There is NO service or visitation on Thursday.

Dorothy was born to Alice and Herbert Erickson in the small town of Desart, ND on April 24, 1931. She went to be with Jesus June 4, 2025 at Benedictine Living Center with her oldest son by her side. Dorothy went through many transitions in her 94 years. She was a small-town kid, teacher, farm wife, homemaker, caregiver, and friend to many.

Dorothy lived in many towns until her family settled in New England, ND. She graduated in 1949 from New England High School. After graduation she attended Dickinson State College where she attained her teaching degree. Dorothy taught at three country schools. She met Ernest Nielsen at one of the doings, as she called it, at Havelock School. They started courting and were united in marriage on June 14, 1955.

She moved to the farm with Ernest and his dad, August. Dorothy and Ernest purchased the farm stead from August where she created a beautiful homelife for her family. Dorothy helped with the farm work, cooked for many hired men, had a large garden, canned, sewed and kept things running in the household. She was a wonderful cook and baker. She truly enjoyed all the visits from relatives over the years. Family was everything to her. Always saying, “Be good to one another!”

Dorothy’s biggest love was her 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She followed Jesus with, Let the children come to me. The joy she received from each one of them, even to the end, was unmeasurable! They always put a huge smile on her face and love in her heart.

Dorothy is survived by her son, Stuart (Teresa) Nielsen, New England; grandchildren, Ashley (Tucker) Norton, New Salem, Amber (Patrick) Olson, Roseau, MN, Alex (Sarah) Nielsen, Aric Nielsen, New England; great-grandchildren, Harley and Huxton Norton, Noah Olson, Hazel and Briggs Nielsen; daughter, Judy (Dan) Sum, North Hampton, PA; grandchildren, Aaron Sum, Franklin, NJ, Kelsey (Mike) Giordano, Princeton, NJ; Diane (Don) Urlacher, New England, grandchildren, Crystal (Travis) Toman, Bismarck, Tiffany (Ryan) Flynn, Maplewood, MN; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Todd, and Morgan Toman, Deacon and Avery Flynn; son, Rodney (Carmen) Nielsen, St Croix; grandson, Connor Nielsen, Denton, TX; daughter, Sherry Loya, Ashburn, VA; grandchildren, Diego Loya, Leesburg, VA,  and Emily Loya, Carlotte, NC; brother, Roger (Debbie) Erickson; brother-in-law, Duane Barry; and sister-in-law, Bonnie Erickson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest D. Nielsen, on January 26, 1982; parents, Alice and Herbert Erickson; siblings, Faye Barry and Dale Erickson.