Dorothy Hermundstad

Dorothy Hermundstad passed away peacefully on August 22, 2014, at Agrace Hospice Care in Fitchburg, surrounded by her family. She was 81 years old.

Dorothy was born on July 27, 1933, in Roodhouse, Illinois. She was the middle child of Leonard and Violet Johnson, with older sister Marilyn and younger sister Patricia completing the family. The Johnson family moved to Bessemer, Michigan when Dorothy was young, and Dorothy grew up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Dorothy attended nursing school in Duluth, Minnesota. While there, she met Orin Hermundstad, who was a medical intern at St. Luke's Hospital. Dorothy and Orin were married on January 29, 1955. During Orin's service in the Army, they lived in Texas, Colorado and Germany, and then settled in Stoughton, Wisconsin, to start Orin's medical career and raise their family.

Dorothy and Orin have four children, Mark, Brian, Shelley and Greg. In their early years in Stoughton, Dorothy worked as a nurse, while also being a full time mother for their children. After their children got older and left to pursue their own educational opportunities, Dorothy decided to further her own education. In 1981 she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Nursing..

Dorothy had many interests and passions. She was an avid gardener and loved spending time in her gardens. Dorothy and Orin traveled extensively, and Dorothy especially enjoyed sailing, swimming and snorkeling in the Caribbean. She also loved Africa, and she and Orin took a special trip to that continent that was a highlight of Dorothy's travels. Dorothy was a very caring and empathetic person, with a place in her heart for those less fortunate than she. She and Orin made several mission trips to provide needed medical services to people in remote areas of the Philippines. Dorothy was a genuine, heartfelt friend to the many people she knew. But most of all, Dorothy was an artist. Her artistry encompassed a love of poetry and music, a profound enjoyment of nature, and a passion for painting. Her family and friends are blessed to have many of her paintings, both originals and prints that she created for her personal greeting cards. Dorothy was a caring and nurturing wife, mother and grandmother with a deep dedication to and love for her family.

Dorothy was an active member of the Stoughton Community. She and Orin were members of the Stoughton Village Players for many years. Dorothy served on numerous community and church related boards and committees. Dorothy and Orin were chosen to preside as Syttende Mai King and Queen in 2004

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Marilyn Masnaghetti. She is survived by her husband Orin, her sister Patricia Micklow and Patricia's husband Judd Spray; her sister-in-law Doris and Doris' husband Duane Liffrig; her children Mark and Sara Hermundstad, Brian Hermundstad, Shelley and John Jansky, and Greg Hermundstad, her grandchildren Ann and Amy Hermundstad and Mark and Kristin Jansky, and many other nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Dorothy will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 30, 2014, at Covenant Lutheran Church, 1525 N Van Buren St., Stoughton. Pastor Mark Petersen will officiate. Visitation will be at Cress Funeral Home, 206 W. Prospect, Stoughton on Friday, August 29, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at Church.

The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to all of Dorothy's dear friends, especially Jo Laffey and all the nurses and staff at Agrace Hospice Care for their care, love and support during Dorothy's final illness.

Memorial donations may be made to Covenant Lutheran Church in Stoughton or Agrace Hospice Care in Madison, WI.