Dorothy A. Stearns

Dorothy Stearns, 73, Moorhead, MN, died on Sunday, October 26, 2008 in Eventide Lutheran Home, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.Dorothy Ann Lee was born on January 11, 1935, in Fargo, ND, to Leonard and Bessie Stempson Lee. She grew up and attended school in Moorhead, graduating from Moorhead High School in 1952. In 1956 Dorothy graduated from Concordia College with degrees in Education and Home Economics. She taught in Barnesville, MN, Fergus Falls, MN, and Naperville, IL. Dorothy married her high school sweetheart, George Stearns, on August 3, 1957 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN. They lived in Moorhead for ten years and had three children – Ann, Will, and John. George was transferred with Ford Motor Company to Naperville, IL, where they lived for ten years before returning to Moorhead. She was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church and attended services with her husband and mother at Eventide in recent years.She was a joyous friend to everyone she met. She had a strong faith, and lived with incredible love for her family, and her many friends. George and Dorothy were full of grace and believed that kindness, caring, and service were important values to pass on to their children and grandchildren. They attended hundreds of their children and grandchildren's sporting events, recitals, programs, and special activities. She loved her friends and enjoyed fellowship with all of the people that she was blessed to meet, visit, and share her energy and love with. Dorothy had a true zest for life, made everyone feel important, and was always thinking of others first. For that reason she was dearly loved. For the last twelve years, she was a fixture at Eventide while caring for her mother, mother-in-law, and most recently her husband George. Her presence there brought light and happiness to many. We will all miss her. She is survived by her husband, George Stearns; mother Bessie Lee; daughter, Ann Steve Clute, Hawley, MN; two sons, William Rebecca, Fargo, ND, and John Julie, West Fargo, ND; a sister, Nancy Frank Buysse, Garrison, MN; nine grandchildren, Eric, Hahnah, Joran, Zach, Gregory, Geoffrey, Chad, Annika, and Kyrsten.She was preceded in death by her father, Leonard J. Lee.