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Dorothy Galarneault

Age 95, passed away Monday, November 10, 2008. She was a longtime resident of Aitkin, MN, and recent resident at the Terraces of St. Therese,
Hopkins, MN.

She was born August 30, 1913, in Wells, MN, the daughter of Emilie (Schweer) and Edward Kuechenmeister. She was a graduate of Wells High School and the University of Minnesota where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and president of Theta Sigma Phi, journalism sorority. She came to Aitkin in 1936 to join the staff of the Aitkin Republican. She married John T. Galarneault of Aitkin at St. James Catholic Church on August 6, 1938.

Throughout the years she was active in school, church and community affairs, serving as president of the Aitkin Parent-Teacher Association, the Aitkin Public Library Board, St. James Council of Catholic Women, Brainerd Deanery CCW and chairman of the Aitkin County Citizens Committee on Aging, the Aitkin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the East Central Regional Library Board. She was a charter member of the Aitkin Hospital Auxiliary and one of the organizers of the Lawyers Wives of Minnesota, serving as the first treasurer. She served two terms on the Advisory Committee of the Brainerd Community College, was a member of the State Committee on Library Services, a member of the Blackrock Terrace Board, and served as secretary for the Aitkin County Committee for the Minnesota Statehood Centennial in 1958.

She was presented the Aitkin Area Centennial Outstanding Female award in 1971 and was named Aitkin's first Senior Queen of Riverboat Days in 1986. In 1989 she received a Certificate of Appreciation from the County Committee on Aging for 30 years of valuable contribution. She was selected by Senior Options North as winner of the "Success Over Sixty" award in 1990 in recognition for her outstanding service to seniors. That same year the community room at Maryhill Manor was dedicated in her honor. During the ceremony she was presented a Certificate of Commendation from Gov. Rudy Perpich in recognition of her role as a community leader and volunteer in Aitkin County and in honor of her years of volunteer work in aging programs as well for her hospital, library, church and educational organizations. She also received a Certificate of Superior Service from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in appreciation of 25 years of faithful and honorable service to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Aitkin County.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, St. James Council of Catholic Women, the Brainerd Deanery of Catholic Women, the Seven County Senior Federation and the American Association of Retired Persons.

Surviving are her four sons and daughters-in-law: John K. and Margarita, Golden Valley; Edward and Sharon, Pine City; Robert and Phyllis, Minneapolis and Thomas and Carol, Delano; one sister, Mrs. W.D. Highsmith, Chapin, SC; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, the Honorable Judge John T. Galarneault, her parents, two brothers and three sisters.

Dorothy's life will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Friday, November 14, 2008 at St. James Catholic Church, Aitkin, followed by interment at St. Thomas Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 PM Thursday evening at Sorenson-Root-Thompson Funeral Home, 31 Minnesota Ave., Aitkin, and one hour prior to Mass on Friday. Memorials preferred to the Seminarian Fund at the Diocese of Duluth, 2830 E Fourth St., Duluth, MN 55812.

Comments

DeAnn said…
perfectly worded, susan. i'll be thinking of you tomorrow at 11 a.m. and saying a little prayer for you.
Chris said…
What a life she led. My prayers are with you and your family also.
K~ said…
Very nicely said. I think she had a very impressive and full life. Thanks for sharing. K~
bobbione8y said…
i like that you posted this, it gives me a sense of Gigi.

your stories gave me a better sense, i think ;)

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