Dolly Mensink

Dolly Pearl (Lange) Mensink passed away peacefully Monday May 20th in Pine Island MN surrounded by family. Dolly was born March 13, 1931, to Friebert and Sarah (Miller) Lange on the family farm west of Harmony MN. She attended Big Spring School for eight years before graduating from Harmony High School in June 1950. Dolly attended Big Spring Church where she was baptized, confirmed, and joined in marriage to Arlyn Mensink on October 22, 1950.

As a young girl, Dolly would have rather been outside feeding the calves or milking the cows. Then as a young adult, she helped her mom feed the many threshing crews on the farm. Dolly and Arlyn lived in the various communities of Harmony, Preston, Lanesboro, Arendahl, Peterson, and Houston where she worked as a nursing assistant. She was a homemaker, but always found time to be active with Ladies' aid, Women's church circle or to teach Sunday School at Arendahl church. She would be the mom who had the pan of brownies waiting for the kids when they got home from school and a big meal for supper that would feed all who were at the table. When they moved to the Red Wing area, Dolly worked at the Red Wing Health Center as a nursing aide and later in the laundry department. Dolly was an excellent cook and baker who had many recipes published in the Republican Eagle cookbook and later joined the "Red Hat Ladies" with many friends she had met through the years. Dolly's love of music truly shined when her and Arlyn could "kick up their heels" on the dance floor.

As Dolly spent time with her grandchildren, she never missed an opportunity to teach, read, or sing to them while playing her little electric organ or maybe watch an episode or two of Lassie. She would make a homemade birthday card for each of them and showed them all the love of a very special person.

Dolly is survived by her children Dennis (LouAnn) of Stewartville, Dean (Lori) of West Concord, Dale (Sally) of Houston, Linette Nelson of Red Wing, son-in-law Keith Carlson of Goodhue, Holly (Dave) Roschen of Goodhue and Danny (Patricia) of Mazeppa, brother Manfred (Carol) of Harmony, brother-in-law Curt (Trudy), and sister-in-law Beverly Mensink. Dolly is also survived by grandchildren Brian and Heidi Mensink, Melissa and Joshua Mensink, Tina Bartsch and Britni Meek, Karla Baker, Kris and Kerry Carlson, Kimberlee Lodermeier and Kamie Lodermeier, Brad Roschen, Michelle Anderson and Tracey Stehr and Kathleen Mueller, Rachel, Nathan, Hannah and Sarah Mensink and 35 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 64 years Arlyn, daughters Linda Reeve and LeeAnn Carlson, sisters Viola Klomp and Annabelle Kvam, and brothers Elmer and Manly Lange. Brother and sisters' in-laws Marguerite Lange, George Klomp, Erling Kvam, and Lorraine Lange.

Visitation for Dolly will be held Wednesday May 22nd, 2024 from 5 to 8 pm at St Luke's Lutheran Church 37750 County 6 Blvd, Goodhue MN. Funeral will be Thursday May 23rd at 11am with visitation 1 hour prior.

Memorials may be given to St. Luke's Church of Goodhue, Alzheimer's/Dementia Foundation, or Moments Hospice.