Dorothy Kannianen, 94, of Stanley, ND passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at the Mountrail Bethel Home in Stanley, ND.

Dorothy Mae Kannianen was born on April 13, 1928 to Arthur and Anna LaBrant on the family farm in Sikes Township. One of 15 children, she was born at the beginning of the Great Depression. Dorothy attended the Platt Country School near Belden, North Dakota, and graduated from Stanley High School in 1945. She went on to Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota for one year.

Dorothy married Herbert Jacob Kannianen on December 24, 1947 in Olympia, Washington. They returned to North Dakota to the family farm where they farmed until Herbert’s death in 1976. They had five children; Jim, Dan, Kristie, Carl, and Kathryn. Dorothy was a lifelong member of the Belden Apostolic Lutheran Church, was the organist and a Sunday School teacher for many years. She worked for the Mountrail County Historical Society on the county history books, and was a dispatcher for twelve years at the Mountrail County Sheriff’s office with Sheriff Ken Halvorson. She wrote the Belden News for many years.

Dorothy was our family historian, creating books of old family letters and many photo albums. She loved making meals for family and friends, and made many rugs on her mother’s loom.

Dorothy is survived by her sons; Dan Kannianen and Carl (Michelle) Kannianen; daughter, Kristie (Dave) Kandoll; grandchildren, Kristen (Eric) Legum, Anne Babiuk, Mike (Kaily) Kannianen, Jordan (Elizabeth) Kannianen, Amanda Kannianen, Jared (Heather) Kannianen, Benny (Harrison) Boyd, Jocelyn Matson, Nathan (Tricia) Kandoll, Jana (Muki) Ibrahim, Maria (Jim) Keddis, Phil (Courtney) Kannianen, Pete (Alicia) Kannianen, Adam (Amber) Bartle, and Lauren Bartle; and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert; son, Jim Kannianen; daughter, Kathryn Hilman; grandson, Aaron Kannianen. She was the last remaining sibling of the LaBrant family. Also preceding her in death were her sisters, Marie Husa, Ella (Puggy) LaBrant, Esther (Jim) Waldrip, Marilyn (Marvin)Karlsen, and Donna (Edwin) Johnson; brothers, Gene (Betty) LaBrant, Lee LaBrant, and Darold (Grace) LaBrant; half sisters, Helen (Morris) Goodner, Nadine (Bill) Fouch, and Nina (George) VanVorst; half brothers, Duane (Virginia) LaBrant, Milford (Louise) LaBrant, and Romane LaBrant.

God Bless the memory of Dorothy Kannianen.