Dorothy Jean Weisser, 87, passed away on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, at the hospital in Brookings, SD, surrounded by her loved ones.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2, at First Lutheran Church of Volga, SD. Visitation will be held the night prior from 5 to 7 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, at First Lutheran Church of Volga.
Dorothy Jean Houtman was the fifth child to be born to Hessel and Charlotte (VandenBerg) Houtman on May 23, 1937, in Bruce, South Dakota. She was raised on the family farm northwest of Bruce, SD (currently known as Oakwood State Park) where she spent time riding horseback and swimming. In 1946, she moved with her parents to Riverdale Farm which was located between Brookings and Volga, SD. She began her education at country schools and then attended Volga Christian School her seventh and eighth grade. She continued her education at Volga High School was a majorette in the Volga Band, was active in choir and small groups.
On Feb. 17, 1954, she was united in marriage to Richard (Dick) Vostad at the Christian Reformed Church parsonage in Volga. They were blessed with five children. Following their marriage, they moved to a farm west of Volga, SD. In 1983, they moved to Sinai, SD where they owned and operated the Service Garage. Dick passed away on Feb. 24, 1984. Dorothy then moved to Brookings, SD. She was united in marriage to Elmer (Bud) Weisser on June 17, 1988. Bud passed away on August 24, 2014. In 2017, Dorothy moved to Volga, SD.
Dorothy’s main employment was at SDSU in food service and URC as Dietary Manager. She was a member of First Lutheran Church of Volga where she taught Sunday School, directed the youth choir, sang in the choir, enjoyed Bible studies, served on the board of W/ELCA and Church Council was church organist, 4-H Asst. leader for the Sunshine Girls, was a member of the A-Z Extension Club. Dorothy also actively gave piano lessons to family and neighbors.
She enjoyed sewing and creating new garments, living on the farm, playing piano and organ in her free time. Their home was always open to family and friends who needed a place to stay for a while.
She was greatly blessed doing sing-a-longs in care centers. She loved spending time with her family, attending the yearly family reunions and vacations in Michigan visiting family.
She is lovingly remembered by her family children, Richard (Dee) Vostad of Volga, Dee (Dale) Josephsen of Arlington, Doreen (Steve) Sims of Waubay, Craig (Rhonda) Vostad of Brookings and Kevin (Ann) Vostad of Volga; two step-daughters, Antoinette Stadler of Northfield, MN and Mary (Greg) Holtzman of Edina, MN; one sister-in-law, Karen Houtman of Canby, MN; many, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Richard Vostad and Elmer Weisser; three brothers, Gerald Houtman, Wilbur Houtman and Charles Houtman; three sisters, Alice Doop, Lorraine Lengkeek and Hester Jennings; one infant brother, David Leroy Houtman; one infant granddaughter, Anika Faye Vostad and one grandson, Christopher Sims.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.eidsnessfuneralhome.com.
