Dorothy M. Boisen, age 89, of Le Sueur, formerly of the St. Thomas area, died on Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Minnesota Valley Health Center in Le Sueur. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in St. Thomas at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Kevin Clinton officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Le Sueur. Visitation will be on Monday, Oct. 26 at the Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur from 4-8 p.m. It will continue on Tuesday morning at the funeral home from 8:30 a.m. until about 9:30 a.m. The family will then process to St. Thomas for the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Dorothy was born on July 13, 1920 to Emil & Wilhelmina (Siemens) Jans on the “Lincoln place” near Dysart, Iowa. She grew up in Iowa on farms in Tama and Benton counties. She married Donevan L. Boisen on Feb. 21, 1938, in Van Horne, Iowa. The couple bought a farm in Tyrone Township, Le Sueur County, in 1949, and farmed there for twenty years, before building a new home on a farm east of St. Thomas, where they lived for the rest of their married life.
She is survived by her children: Gary (Judy) Boisen of Richmond, MN, Ellie Depuydt of St. Peter, MN, Danny (Barb) Boisen of Le Sueur, MN, Vicky (Joe) Laux of Blaine, MN; 17 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; sister Loretta Blohm.
She is preceded in death by her husband in 1982; sisters, Anna Zielstorf, Edna Johnson, Nadine Anders, Evelyn Kaestner, Helen Johnson and Eleanor Paulsen; Brothers, Arthur Jans , Edward Jans, Melvin Jans and Dale Jans. “Nana” Dorothy possessed a quick wit and excelled in the art of being silly. She delighted in making her home a warm, welcome place and made sure no one left her home hungry, at any time of the night or day. She holds a special place in the hearts of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the determined targets of spoiling; Nana was always ready for coloring, card games, dominoes or other games at a moment’s notice. She had a generous spirit, whether volunteering at church functions, stopping by the house to visit a sick grandchild with popsicles and sticker books, or sending out bundles of birthday and holiday cards laden with money year after year. She loved music, played the accordion and organ by ear, and enjoyed watching music programs on TV. She even wrote a song to send to Loretta Lynn. A bright smile, a goofy joke, sweet treats and loving attention made her our “Nana”.
