Mass of Christian Burial for Dorothy Vlaminck, 93, of Marshall, formerly of Minneota, will be Thursday, May 26, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the church, with a rosary at 5:00 p.m. and a parish prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow at St. Edward Catholic Cemetery in Minneota.
Dorothy Margaret (Wambeke) Vlaminck was born on March 22, 1929, on the family farm in Westerheim Township, to Ferdinand and Margaret (DeCock) Wambeke. She grew up in rural Minneota, and was part of the first graduating class at St. Edward Catholic School. Dorothy graduated from Minneota High School in 1947. On April 17, 1948, she was united in marriage to Gaston Vlaminck at St. Edward Catholic Church. The couple had met at a dance, so it was fitting that their reception was the first held at the Minneota American Legion. They farmed and raised their ten children near Minneota. Dorothy was a hard worker who enjoyed her role as a mother and farmer’s wife. She cooked and baked for everyone, including family, workers on the farm, and sales and delivery people who came by the house. She made sure everyone ate five meals a day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, lunch, and supper. Plus coffee, baked goods, and candy in between. On Sundays the lawn became a ball diamond, with family, friends, and neighbors coming over to play softball and baseball. And of course, everyone was invited inside to eat after. Dorothy enjoyed helping on the farm, including mowing the lawn, getting rid of dandelions, cultivating crops, riding beans, and driving truck in the fall with blue heeler Tina by her side. She loved any time the family was together, and she also loved shopping, so Christmas was her favorite holiday. Dorothy could play the piano by ear, and she also played the accordion. Dorothy’s faith was important to her. She was a member of the funeral guild, Joan of Arc, and the liturgy committee at St. Edward Catholic Church.
Dorothy died on Sunday, May 22, 2022, at Heritage Pointe Senior Living in Marshall. She is survived by her children Jim (and Marcia) of Minneota, Bill (and Mary) of Marshall, Pat (and Phyllis) of Porter, Bonnie (and Ed) Laleman of Minneota, Joann (and Fred) Grant of Rockford, IL, Judy (and Mike) O’Neil of Waseca, Ron (and Val) of Taunton, Mike (and Dawn) of Ghent, Rick (and Alanna) of Cedar Creek, TX; daughter-in-law Julie of Marshall; grandchildren Gina, Jenny, Chuck, Becky, Ben, Jacob, Shawn, Shandteli, Scott, Chris, Curt, Steve, Brad, Bruce, Tim, Rick, Bonnie, Gabe, Mike, Mackenzie, Patrick, Stephanie, Keith, Erika, Abby, Ryan, Robert, and Bryon; 59 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren; siblings Mary (and Lee) Neuman, William (and Donna) Wambeke, Dennis “Ferd” (and Judy) Wambeke; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gaston, son Tom, grandson Shea O’Neil, great-grandchildren Bruce John Laleman, Jr., Laila Rose Vlaminck, and Sydney Lee Vlaminck, brothers Joe, Richard, and Jim, and sisters Jeannie, Gloria, and Marian.