Dorothy Cecile Kowalczuk

Dorothy Cecile Kowalczuk (née Hershaw)
November 9, 1922 – July 14, 2025
Dorothy Cecile Kowalczuk passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025, just shy of her 103rd birthday. She was born in Minnesota, and lived a full and remarkable life that spanned over a century of change and progress.
During her lifetime, Dorothy witnessed an extraordinary array of historical events and technological advances: the rise of radio broadcasting, the age of the internet, the evolution from train travel to space exploration, the Great Depression, World War II, the moon landing, the eradication of smallpox, the fall of the Soviet Union, 9/11, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the emergence of generative AI. From telephone party lines to holding her own cellphone, she experienced nearly every major shift in the modern world.
Dorothy married Alexander Kowalczuk, on March 11, 1940, after meeting at a neighborhood sing-along. They shared 60 years together and raised five children. Dorothy dedicated most of her years to being a devoted stay-at-home mother and also worked part-time at the local elementary school. After her children were grown, she began working at 3M Company-starting as a dishwasher in the cafeteria and eventually becoming the cafeteria manager.
A curious and adventurous spirit, Dorothy traveled to over sixty countries alongside her daughter, creating memories that spanned continents. She was also known for her exceptional sewing skills and lovingly handcrafted quilts, many of which continue to be cherished by her family today.
In her later years, Dorothy lived in Missouri, then briefly in Kentucky, and spent her final months in Alaska.
She attended meetings at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses with her daughter and son-in-law and deeply appreciated what she learned from the Bible. She found particular joy and comfort in scriptures such as Psalm 37:10, 11, 29 and Revelation 21:3-4, which speak of a future paradise on earth and the hope of welcoming back resurrected loved ones. "That sounds-and would be-so nice," she often said with a smile.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alexander Kowalczuk; her daughter, Karen Munson; son-in-law, Robert Munson; and daughter-in-law, Faye Kowalczuk.
She is survived by her children: Alex (Dave) Kowalczuk, Kathleen Kowalczuk (Karl Gatzka), Mark Kowalczuk, and Julie Riel (Mel Riel). She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.
Dorothy's life was a testament to strength, warmth, and quiet faith. She leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and cherished memories that will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.