Dorothy Jean Jentoft

Dorothy Jean Jentoft, 86, of Beloit, WI, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2024 in Beloit.
She was born on December 7, 1937 in Duluth, MN, the daughter of Ralph and Thora (Swenson) Paulsen. Dorothy was a 1955 Duluth Central High School graduate. She married Richard Carl Jentoft on May 10, 1956 in Duluth, MN. He predeceased her on July 4, 2014. Dorothy and Dick loved their hometown, Duluth, MN and it was one of their favorite places to visit. They loved traveling to all sorts of places when Dick would attend Speech and Hearing Association Conferences and especially loved New Orleans. Dorothy was also able to take a once in a lifetime trip to England with her dear friend Georgine.
During Dorothy's years of childhood and growing to adult hood, she had many experiences and Scandinavian traditions, including her family fostering 3 baby bears that had been orphaned until their size required them to be sent to a small rescue. In her teen years the family found out that her mother, Thora, was not actually brought to the United States from Sweden as a toddler by her actual biological parents. Thora and her family were found by her biological mother, Lotten, still in Sweden. Dorothy's parents traveled to Sweden to be united with Lotten for 6 weeks-6 weeks in a lifetime- and provided Dorothy and her sister, Martha, with their new MorMor (Grandmother) Lotten.
Dorothy relocated to Beloit in 1960 with Dick and her daughters, when Dick was hired to teach in the Beloit Public School District. Dorothy became a Beloit Public School System Secretary after her daughters, Vicki and Kathi, were established in middle elementary school. She became a Parish Secretary at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Beloit in 1973 and retired in 1998. After retirement she went to work as Parish Secretary at Atonement Lutheran Church, Beloit, and Faith Lutheran Church, So. Beloit. Over her career she enjoyed the privilege of working with many priests and pastors. She also organized a Church Secretary Support Group.
Dorothy was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, as well as St. Paul's Lutheran Church for a brief period, returning in her later years to Our Savior's Lutheran Church. At Our Savior's she was their Librarian, a Sunday School and Bethel Series Teacher, Youth Assistant, Chaperone for many youth and Disciples of Distinction tours and trips and a member of the Church Council. Her passion was knitting, which she learned in high school. Over the years she made countless afghans, which she gave away to everyone that she loved and met. She loved to also make them for Caritas for their Christmas baskets. Dorothy and Dick loved celebrating Swedish and Scandinavian traditions making and stuffing homemade Swedish Potato Sausage, especially during the holidays, which every generation participated in from the time they were in diapers! These traditions were taught to and cherished by her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren and celebrated to this day!
Dorothy's most important accomplishment was raising her daughters, Vicki and Kathi, and creating a wonderful, loving family. She and Dick encouraged them to become strong, independent young women and created a very loving family. She tried to see her grandchildren daily while they were growing up and was lovingly involved with her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren as often as she was able until her health became bad. She was always thrilled as the family expanded.
Survivors include her daughter, Vicki (Glen Johnson) Jentoft-Johnson of Beloit, WI; grandchildren, Jenny (Eric) Kluznik, Grant (Barb) Jentoft, Megan (Chris) Griffith, Emily (Shane) Dunaway, and Tyler Jentoft-Johnson; son-in-law, Randy McBain; great grandchildren, Conner and Evan Dunaway, Pressley and Marley Griffith, Hannah and Henry Kluznik, Katie (Brian) Rufh, Melissa (Jeremy) Jewell and Adam Mork; great great grandchildren, Abby, Sam, Natalie, Alex and Logan Rufh, Hunter, Riverson and Sawyer Jewell. She is furthered survived by her godson, Karl (Sarah) Rowell and their daughter, Alana; brother-in-law, Paul "Bleem" Claesgens; sister-in-law, Myrna (Dave) Hallberg, as well as several nephews and nieces, and many special long-time friends.
Dorothy was predeceased by her daughter, Kathi McBain; granddaughter, Jessica Jentoft-Johnson; sister, Martha Paulsen; and niece. Lena Paulsen.
Services for Dorothy will be privately held at a later date, with inurnment to be at Luther Valley Cemetery in Beloit, WI in the near future.
Special thanks to Agrace Hospice and all her caregivers, the Rev. Tony Dusso of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, and Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates for their compassionate care.
Memorials may be sent to Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 749 Bluff Street, Beloit, WI, 53511 or Agrace Hospice, 2901 N. Wright Road, Janesville, WI, 53546 in Dorothy's honor.