Dorothy Mae Gillespie

Dorothy M. Gillespie, age 96 of Park River, passed away Monday, October 19, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Center of Park River. Dorothy Mae Lewis was born December 23, 1918 in Glasgow, Montana, the daughter of the late William and Hazel (Ramsey) Lewis. She attended rural school through the eighth grade and graduated from the Walsh County Agricultural School. She than attended the Union Commercial College in Grand Forks. In April of 1942, she moved to San Francisco to look for work during WWII. She was a "Rosie the Welder". Dorothy was united in marriage to Albert J. Gillespie on September 14, 1942 in Reno, Nevada. After Albert was discharged from the Army, the couple moved back to Park River where they raised their three boys. She worked as a secretary for the ASCS Office and later the Park River Veterinary Clinic. She retired to take care of Albert. Albert passed away May 30, 2000. Dorothy continued to make her home in Park River until the time of her death. She was a member of the Park River Federated Church, the Federated Ladies Fellowship, Walsh County Saddle Club, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Riverside Swingers. She loved to camp and travel. Dorothy is survived by her sons: Jack (Linda) Gillespie, Park River, ND; David Gillespie, Park River, ND; Ken (Nin) Gillespie, Park River, ND; grandchildren: Michelle (Troy) Woehl, Susan (Robert) Cudmore, Kelly (Dayton) Larson, Dean (Lindsey) Gillespie, Robin (Tom) Beranek, Brad (Amanda) Himes, Brett (Samantha) Gillespie, Mariah (Trent) Kannenberg, Bevin (Dave) Dvorak and Griffin Gillespie; 23 great grandchildren; brother, Charles (Norma) Lewis, Muscatine, IA; sister-in-law, Carol Lewis, Park River. Several nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Albert, infant son Richard, grandson Kurtis Gillespie, siblings: Vernon, Allen, Robert, Jean and Jay. Funeral services will be Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at the Federated Church of Park River. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may call at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery of Park River.