Dolores Hargesheimer

Dolores Mae Hargesheimer, "Dee", peacefully joined her Lord and Savior on October 17, 2023, at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester, Minnesota.
Dee, age 96, was born April 8, 1927, in Rochester, MN to Orville and Florence Halling and raised in the Hawthorne School area. She met her husband, Bud (K.W.) Hargesheimer, through youth programs at East Side Center Street Church/United Brethren. She was active in camping, teaching, and singing in choirs all her life. Dee graduated from Rochester High School. She married her high school and forever sweetheart, Bud, on September 21, 1946, after Bud returned from serving in the Navy in Europe during World War II. Later, at Homestead United Methodist Church, Dee was active in church circles, kitchen help, ushered, lay leader, altar guild, landscaping, and many other committees. Dee and Bud raised their family in northeast Rochester. Upon retirement, they moved to Real Life Cooperative, where they lived for over 25 years. In the last few years, Dee lived at Arbor Terrace and Samaritan Bethany in Rochester.
Dee and Bud raised five children, each precious in many ways and different from one another; and very loved. Being a mother of five children and spending time with their families was her main ambition. Dee also loved to read and was active in all craft and artistic programs, loved to play cards, and loved sewing. She was very active in community classes and loved to learn. Later in life, she enjoyed traveling with Bud and friends. She was always aware of world and community events. Dee loved birds and flowers and gardening. Dee's faith told her not to worry. Her faith and family were most important to her. Dee believed in eternal life. Dee volunteered in many places, including Holmes Elementary School, and was an active, loving member of Homestead United Methodist Church. Dee was a friend to many. She met with her high school friends called "The Loonies" almost monthly her whole life. Dee loved life.
Dee worked for Waters Conley on World War II pipeline small projects, and later, when the children were all in school, worked for Bachman's Flowers.
Dee is survived by four children: Randy Hargesheimer (Judy Stern), Scott Hargesheimer, Mark Hargesheimer (Jeanne) and Jill Moulton (Dennis); seven grandchildren, Justina Brown (Christian), Kristopher Hargesheimer, Kali Pliego (Felix), Kara Boespflug (Justin), Dana Hargesheimer (Jess), Tyler Moulton, and Samantha Moulton; and seven great-grandchildren, Abigail and Nealy Brown, Sam and Mateo Pliego, Everett and Dominic Boespflug and Ames Hargesheimer.
Proceeding Dee in death were her parents; her beloved husband, Bud; her precious, first-born daughter, Nancy Louise Wiseman and her husband, John Wiseman; two brothers and their wives, Darwin and Lillian Halling and Don and Louise Halling, as well as many other special relatives.
As in life, Dee lived fully and gave graciously. Dee was a volunteer for many Mayo Clinic research projects while living. Dee has voluntarily donated herself for the gift of medical research to Mayo Clinic. In Dee's own words regarding her beginning of everlasting life, "The most sensible, sharing way to die, in hopes that something can be learned, is by the donation of my body, that may someday benefit my earthly family."
Come join Dee's family in a celebration of Joy, Life, and Thanksgiving. We are set free by the Holy Spirit, nurtured by the Trinity, and under the protecting wings of God.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 27 at 11:00 a.m. at Homestead United Methodist Church in Rochester. Visitation will be one hour prior to the celebration.
A family burial of Dee's ashes beside Bud will be at a later date at Grandview Memorial Gardens.
If desired, Dee suggests memorials go to Mayo Clinic Cancer Research, Heart Research, Homestead Methodist Church, or Samaritan Bethany.
The family would like to thank the entire teams from Samaritan Bethany, Arbor Terrace, Seasons Hospice and Lexie and Abby from Mayo Clinic. Your care and love will never be forgotten.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Hargesheimer family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com