April 9, 1930 – June 20, 2021

Dewey Dooyema, 91, a longtime resident of Leota, Minn., was received in the arms of the Lord on Sunday, June 20, 2021, while residing at the Good Samaritan Society Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne, Minn.

A memorial service was held Friday, June 25, 2021; 10:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne with Pastor David Christianson officiating. Interment was in the Leota Cemetery, Leota, Minn.

Special music, Go Rest High On That Mountain, was by Zac and Jessye Kellogg; speaker was Sam Dooyema; and the congregation sang Softly And Tenderly, Blessed Assurance, and How Great Thou Art. Special readings were by Elijah Dooyema (Psalm 127:3-5) and Danielle (Staeffler) Gimpel (Matthew 6:25-30).

Pallbearers were Dustin Staeffler, Andrew Dooyema, Sam Dooyema, Benjamin J-H Padilla, Elijah Dooyema, Jeremiah Dooyema, and Jedidiah Dooyema.

He was born to Clarence and Mina (Berghorst) Dooyema on April 9, 1930, near Leota on the family farm. Dewey attended Country School in Leota and graduated from the Edgerton Public High School.

Dewey was united in marriage to Doris Sundem on August 9, 1953, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, Minn. Following their marriage, they moved to Fort Lewis, Wash., while Dewey proudly served in the United States Army. Following his service they moved to the family farm near Leota. This is where they made their “home” and resided happily for 60 years. Their marriage was blessed with four children; Diane, Douglas, David, and Denise.

Dewey took pride and was involved in his community. He dedicated his God-given talents and served faithfully on the Edgerton Public High School Board, Luverne/Kenneth Elevator Board, and the Production Credit Association Board. He also sold DeKalb Seed corn in the area for years. He was also actively involved with the Kenneth Lutheran Church in Kenneth until its closing.

Dewey will be lovingly remembered by his 3 children and their spouses, Diane (Dan) Staeffler, Rapid City, S.D.; Doug (Pam) Dooyema, Luverne; and Denise (Ben) Padilla, Houston, Texas; 14 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and his two sisters, Angeline Ruiter of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Carol (Jim) Null of Farmington, Minn.­­­.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Evon (Sundem), his parents, his son, David, his brother, John Dooyema, granddaughter Beatrice Padilla, and great-granddaughter Hanna Dooyema.