Dorthy Skogen, 91, of Williston, died Sunday evening, June 19, 2016 at Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston is assisting the family.

Dorthy Marie Tong Skogen was born on January 23, 1925, to Roy and Martha (Raich) Tong in Ray, ND. She attended the Temple Elementary School and was a member of the graduating class of 1942 from Ray High School. Upon her graduation, she worked at the Citizens State Bank in Ray, ND, met Osmond Skogen, and they married on November 14, 1943, at the Epping Lutheran Church in Epping, ND. To this union, two children were born – Gary Eugene on December 19, 1945, and Phyllis Jean on June 14, 1949. She worked along side of Osmond at the farm. As he said, “She has been behind me every step of the way.”

She was a great hostess and cook and had many special dishes that everyone enjoyed – her porcupine meatballs, her Salisbury steak, and especially, pecan pie!!!

Dorthy was a member of the Epping Lutheran Church until their move to Williston in l986. She served as a Sunday School teacher for many years, as well as held various offices in the Ladies Aid. She was very proud of the quality of work that the members of her circle did while serving for funerals, weddings, and special events at the church. As residents of Williston, Dorthy and Osmond became members of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, where she volunteered many hours, as well as making the meatballs for the annual dinner and providing a variety of delicacies for the annual bake sale.

Dorthy had many hobbies and talents. She was a member of a bowling team in Williston and enjoyed the friendships of those gals. She always was up for a game of cards – pinochle, whist, or bridge - and appreciated her many friends from card clubs and the challenges of a competitive card game.

Her flower gardens, both at the farm and in Williston, could easily have been pictured in the Better Homes and Garden Yards of the Week. She often shared plants with the advice, “Oh, just stick it in the ground and it will grow!” Really??

She was an expert seamstress, and along with her aprons and towels, she brought her divinity, sweet relish, salsa, and jam varieties to craft shows, where people stood in line to buy “Dorthy’s wares.”

Recently, Dorthy and Osmond became residents of Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston, ND. They enjoyed the extended family and activities that became a part of their lives. They have celebrated many milestones there – Dorthy’s 90th birthday, Dorthy and Osmond’s 72nd wedding anniversary, as well as being named the 2016 Valentine King and Queen of Bethel Home.

Dorthy is survived by her husband of 72 years, Osmond Skogen; her son and wife, Gary and Alvina (Strand) Skogen; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Christian, Nancy, and Osmond Skogen, John and Angela Skogen, and Lindsay and Keith Rath, Taylor and Noah; her sister, Cora Weyrauch of Ross, ND; sisters-in-law, Elaine Tong of Bismarck, ND, Joyce Tong of Ray, ND, Dolores Skogen of Fargo, ND, Clara Johnson of Kalispell, MT, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death, her parents, her daughter Phyllis Jean Johnson, her brothers/sisters and spouses, Roy Tong, John Edward Tong, Robert and Arla Tong, Hank and Annie Ringey, Vivian Engen, and Philip Weyrauch, as well as members of the Skogen family, Harry and Berit Leverenz, Ted and Annie Anderson, Conrad Skogen, and Percy Johnson.

Memorial Contribution

Thank You