Dorothy Kreimer Rand

Passed away peacefully on October 13, 2021 in Wayzata, MN. Born October 11, 1930 in Bluffton, MN, and formerly of Stillwater and North Oaks. 

Growing up on a farm, Dorothy, like her siblings, knew hard physical work from a very young age. She was primarily responsible for inside chores, including cleaning, washing dishes, and as the fourth-oldest of nine children, watching the younger children. While she excelled at these tasks, she yearned for the big city. Dorothy attended business school in St. Cloud, then moved to Minneapolis in 1950, where she worked at National Tea Company in Hopkins as a bookkeeper. It was through a mutual friend that she met the man who would become her first husband, Albert Kreimer of Stillwater. Dorothy and Al were married on September 6, 1958 in Minneapolis. They settled in Stillwater, where they raised their three children. They enjoyed boating on the St. Croix River, golfing at Stillwater Country Club, and as the children got older, travelling with friends. Sadly, Al died suddenly in 1979. Dorothy quickly rose to the challenge of being a single parent and immersed herself in a variety of new experiences. She crocheted beautiful afghans, took painting classes, and even tried downhill skiing. She married Roger Rand on January 25, 1991, in Stillwater. Dorothy and Roger enjoyed playing bridge, travelling, and wintering on Marco Island. But most of all, they loved to spend time with Dorothy’s children and eight grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Gabi.” In 2000, they bid farewell to Stillwater and moved to North Oaks. After Roger’s death in 2018, Dorothy moved to Folkestone in Wayzata, where she resided until her death.

Dorothy had a vibrant smile and an authentically friendly demeanor that charmed everyone she met. Always current with the local news, she easily engaged people in interesting conversations. She was extraordinarily polite and gracious beyond measure. It gave her great joy to entertain family and friends at her home, whether it was for a holiday dinner or a grandchild’s pool party. She was always tastefully dressed, impeccably coiffed, and thoroughly accessorized. That attention to detail extended to virtually every part of her life. What she didn’t write down, she held fast in her vault-like memory. Dorothy was a devout Catholic, and her faith gave her the strength and resiliency to persevere through life’s challenges. She would do anything for her family, especially her grandchildren, and was overjoyed to learn that she would soon be a great-grandmother. While she was incredibly proud of her family, she remained humble of spirit.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Marie Vorderbruggen, husbands Albert Kreimer and Roger Rand, son-in-law Raymond Holton, grandchildren Nicholas and Joseph Holton, brothers Claude, Harold, and Nestor Vorderbruggen, and sister Monica Doll.

Dorothy will be greatly missed by her children, Melissa (Peter) Santrach, Patrice Holton, Tom (Wendy) Kreimer, her grandchildren, Stephen, Mark (Delma), and Camille Santrach, Sara (Nick) Townley, Laura and Emma Holton, Matthew and Andrew Kreimer, stepchildren, Nancy (Denny) Berndt and John Rand, siblings Bill (Pat) Vorderbruggen, Pat Schmith, Darlene (Bob) Cuddigan, Joe Vorderbruggen, and many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of St. Bartholomew, 630 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata, on Friday, October 22 at 11 am. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass. Memorials preferred to University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center or Park Nicollet Foundation - Methodist Hospice.