Dorothy Eliason

Dorothy Mae Margaret Eliason was born on July 22, 1927, in Sherburn, Minnesota, the daughter of Archie W. and Mabel Tanhoff. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and graduated from Granite Falls High School. On November 22, 1945, Dorothy was united in marriage to Joseph A. Eliason. Dorothy worked hard all of her life. As a young woman, she had several waitress jobs in Minnesota and South Dakota and eventually obtained a position with Plews/Parker Hannifin in Granite Falls as shipping and receiving clerk. She also served as Union Steward. She was an active, faithful member of Granite Falls Lutheran Church for over 50 years, was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary and DAV as well as a 63 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Dorothy enjoyed playing softball as a young woman and also enjoyed gardening, bowling, baking, canning, playing cards and taking her weekly trips to the casino. She was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins and the Vikings. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her friends and family. She so loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren and made special boxes for them packed with special goodies during the Christmas season. In the late evening hours of Monday October 7, 2013, Dorothy was peacefully called from this life at the Granite Falls Municipal Hospital. She was 86 years of age. She is survived by her children - Richard (& Judy) Eliason of Ramsey, Barbara (& Richard) Hohertz of Webster, WI and David (& Denise) Eliason of Sevierville, TN; grandchildren - Teresa (& Chad) Winslow, Tami Shaw, Brent (& Staci) Eliason; great grandchildren- Kasandra Shaw, Elijah Winslow, Ariana Winslow, Isaac Eliason, Grace Eliason, Mattie Eliason and Kaylee Shaw-Nestin; brothers - Bruce Tanhoff and Barry (& Kaye) Tanhoff; her brother-in-law Lee Early and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband Joseph; her brother Robert Tanhoff; her sisters Rosemary Tanhoff and Artie Early; sisters-in-law Maxine Tanhoff and Gladys Tanhoff and a son-in-law Timothy Shaw.