Dorene Lotzer, age 80 of Brookings, passed away on Friday, March 10, 2023.  
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, at Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings. Visitation will be from 11-1 p.m. on Saturday also at the church.  Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  
Dorene Lotzer was born on April 21, 1942, in Sisseton, SD, to Earl and Norma (Backman) Madsen. She attended country grade school for 8 years, graduating from Wilmot High School in 1960. On August 5, 1961, Dorene was united in marriage to Jerome C. Lotzer in Sisseton. The couple had two daughters: Diane and Dawn. In September of 2009, the couple moved to Brookings, SD. Jerry passed away on May 31, 2019, after 57 years together.
Throughout her life, Dorene worked at a bank, hospital, ASCS office, school kitchen, and finally as the Roberts County Register of Deeds Deputy for over 19 years. She was an active member of the GLC in Sisseton, substituting for Sunday School classes, acting on the church council, choir, ladies aide, and ladies circles. She always had time to make homemade cake for funeral services or special events at the church. In 2009, she became a member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings.
Dorene held many interests, including cooking, baking, canning, and sewing. She also enjoyed camping and playing cards. One of her favorite pastimes was sharing a meal with family and friends, always trying out new recipes on them and using her guests as her “guinea pigs.” In fact, her favorite books to read were cook books. Dorene loved taking bus tours, especially to Nashville. Dorene’s greatest love of all was her family. Family was her number one priority, particularly her three grandsons, which she absolutely adored. She was so proud of all of their accomplishments.
Dorene is survived by her daughters: Diane (Chad) Broksieck, of Brookings, and Dawn (Lee) Wright of Summit, SD; grandchildren: Gavin (Miranda) Wright, Tate (Lauren) Broksieck, and Trent Broksieck; great-grandson Weston Wright; her siblings: Mary Ann Weeden, Karen (Steve) Arnold, Arlene (Joe) Reinhart, Elroy (Sandy) Madsen; her brother-in-law, Gordon Osterloh; her sister-in-law Carol Madsen; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Jerome “Jerry” Lotzer; her parents; her sister, Gladys; her brother, Eldred; her brother-in-law Glen Weeden.