Dorothy J. Schmidt

Dorothy J. Schmidt, 86, Moorhead, MN, died on Monday, October 23, 2017, in her home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Dorothy J. Schmidt was born on February 19, 1931 in Manchester, MN, to Arthur and Palma Jordahl. She was the seventh of ten children and grew up on the family farm. She graduated from Freeborn High School in 1948 and then attended Winona and Mankato State colleges. Her fist teaching position was in a one room, rural school, teaching kindergarten through eighth grade. She was nineteen years old.

Dorothy married John F. Schmidt in May of 1953 and continued teaching until their daughter Heidi was born in 1955. Their son, John Arthur was born in 1958, with daughter Karen completing the family in 1964.

During John’s career as a school superintendent in Emmons, Clinton, Prior Lake and Hawley, Dorothy was very involved in church, school and community activities. Her main focus was always to care for and love her family.

In 1980, John died of lung cancer. Dorothy was forty-nine years old. Upon John’s encouragement, she returned to teaching. Her first step back into the educational world was similar to her beginning. Dorothy taught in a Hutterite community. She was inspired to go back to school, completing her ESL degree from MSUM. She subsequently taught English to second language learners in communities in and around Moorhead for the rest of her teaching career.

Dorothy married Robert Cobb in 1989 and started another chapter of her rich life. She and Bob shared a love of art and music and lived in Moorhead for the rest of her life.

Dorothy was a life-long learner, with avid interests in Bible studies, literature, history, art and music. She was an accomplished pianist and gracious friend. She was always ready with a kind word, a delicious meal and a gentle resting place.

Dorothy returned to Jesus on October 23, 2017, surrounded by her family. She was deeply loved by her family and friends and will remain in our hearts forever.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Robert Cobb; children Heidi (Michael) Sapa, John A. (Lori) Schmidt, Karen (Jon) Sather; grandchildren Chelsea (Sangam), Caitlin (Allen), John L., Kristen, Eric, Natalie, Emma; great-grandchild, Maya; sister Eunice Twiss; brother Donald (Phyllis) Jordahl; step-son Michael Cobb; and many loving family members.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her mother and father, Palma and Arthur; her husband John F.; sisters Carmen, Valborg, Ardis and LaVonne (Dan); brothers John, Kermit and Arthur (Darlene).

Visitation: Friday, October 27, 2017, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead.
Funeral: Saturday, October 28, 2017, at 11:00 A.M. in Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN.
Interment: LeSueur Mound Cemetery, LeSueur, MN.