Dorothy Renstrom

1945 - 2025

Dorothy Renstrom

June 30, 1945 - June 20, 2025

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZ.– Dorothy Frances Renstrom, 79, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, in Flagstaff, Ariz. She was born on June 30, 1945, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Ruth (Mallon) and Francis Renstrom.

Dorothy graduated high school in 1963 from the Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Omaha, Neb. She then went to Manhattanville College in White Plains, N.Y., where she graduated in 1967 with a BA in English. She continued her education and received her MSW from University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Dorothy had a long career working in child welfare. She started as a case worker in Omaha, Neb., and then became a child protective services supervisor in Lincoln, Neb. In 1997, she was recruited to work in Minnesota where she rose to the position of state director of Children and Family Services. Dorothy moved to Flagstaff, Ariz., in 2004 where she returned to working directly with families as a foster care worker for the Arizona Department of Economic Security until her retirement.

Dorothy volunteered with many organizations that worked on equality, peace and justice. She was an avid reader and a member of several book groups. She loved traveling and visited many countries.

She is survived by her partner, Patty Hansen; sister-in-law, Jona Raasch and her husband, Scott Raasch, Sr.; nephew, Scott, Raasch Jr. and his wife, Lindsey Raasch; niece, Liz Satterthwaite and her husband, Brandon Satterthwaite; and great-niece and nephews, Dylan, Cooper, Aubree and Benjamin.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Dorothy's life to be held on November 11, 2025, 4 to 5 p.m. at the Venue Restaurant, 4107 Pioneer Woods Dr., Suite 103, Lincoln, Neb. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Flagstaff Literacy Center, www.thinkliteracy.org.