Dorothy Lien

Dorothy Lien, one of the finest and loveliest women ever, died Dec. 11 at a daughter’s home warmed by her adoring family. She was 79 and had courageously battled cancer for seven years. Known for her cheery outlook, she showed a selfless concern for a large network of family and friends and enriched the lives of all who knew her. Dorothy Elaine Gudmundson was born Feb. 22, 1930 on a farm in Lincoln County, the fourth of 12 children of Oscar and Myrtle (Johnson) Gudmundson. A 1948 graduate of Ivanhoe High School, she later moved to Marshall, where she met and married the love of her life, Larry Lien, and raised three children. For more than three decades, she worked at Carrow’s Marshall Cleaners, often at the front desk, where her personality and attention to detail earned her many friends and admirers. Deeply religious, she was a long-time member of First Lutheran Church, and looked forward to many weekly activities there. She loved quilting and crafts, was an avid reader and a terrific cook, especially of the apple pies and Belgian waffle cookies that she took great joy in giving away. In later years, she cherished her winters in Mesa, Az. She is survived by a son and two daughters: Dennis (Karen) Lien of Lake Elmo, Carol (Richard) Abraham of Blaine, and Laurie (Steve) Erickson of Victoria. Other survivors include three brothers and three sisters: Willard of Issaquah, Wash., Gordon of Lynnwood, Wash., and Dean of Marshall; Joan Anderson of Rapid City, S.D., Norma Moeller of Redwood Falls, and Clarice Mattoon of Lewiston, Id.; seven grandchildren, Emily (fiance Adam Johnson) Abraham, Melissa (Ed) Juntunen, Lauren (John) Kaeppe, Craig Abraham, Angela Erickson, Christopher Erickson, and Jennifer Lien; four great-grandchildren Grace, Aden, Elias, and Taylor; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband Larry in 2001; five sisters and brothers; Doris, Orvin, Arnie, Harvey, and Ardis, and a stillborn son, James. Memorial are preferred to First Lutheran Church in Marshall or the American Cancer Society.