Dorothy L. Ziesemer

Dorothy LouAnn Ziesemer of Ripon, WI, formerly of Alexandria, MN, entered her heavenly home on November 3, 2025, at the age of 95. Dorothy was born on November 30, 1929 to George and Elda (Hollatz) Dickhoff in Effington Township, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Zion Lutheran Church in North Effington Township. On December 11, 1947, she married Gilbert E. Ziesemer at Zion Lutheran Church. He preceded her in death on March 28, 2008.

Dorothy and Gilbert started out living on a farm in rural Parkers Prairie, MN. They also lived and worked in Montana before moving back to Parkers Prairie where Gilbert worked for a number of years at Ziesemer Construction. She and Gilbert then owned and operated hardware stores, first in Brooten, MN and later in Waseca, MN. After selling the Waseca store, they moved to Minneapolis, MN and were employed there. In 1989, they retired and moved to Alexandria, MN. Their marriage was blessed with 60 years together and two children, daughter, Diane and son, Gary.

Dorothy loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed craft projects, crocheting, gardening, and fishing. In 2021, she moved to Maplecrest Manor Assisted Living in Ripon, WI, to be near her son, Gary. She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Ripon.

She is survived by her son, Gary (Corrine) Ziesemer of Green Lake, WI; four grandchildren, Mark (Sarah) Ziesemer of Greenville, WI, Chad (Amanda) Ziesemer of Oshkosh, WI, Katie (Andrew) Koffman of Grafton, WI, Ryan (Ashley) Agnew of Becker, MN; eight great-grandchildren, Claire, Adam, Nathan, Jacob, Logan, Hannah, Peter, and Grace; and several nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gilbert; daughter Diane (David) Agnew; grandson, Jason Agnew; brothers, Erwin (Lucille) Dickhoff, and Elroy (Ilene) Dickhoff; and sisters, Alice (Warren) Meissner, and LouAnn (Daniel) Wagner.

A memorial service for Dorothy will be held at 11:30AM on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 500 Mayparty Drive, in Ripon, WI, with Rev. Bryan Fritsch officiating. Family and friends may visit at the church on Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 10:00AM until the time of the service. Inurnment will be alongside her husband at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria, MN, at a later date.

A heartfelt thanks to her caregivers at Maplecrest Manor Assisted Living and SSM- Health at Home hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Messiah Lutheran Church in Ripon are appreciated.

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