Dorothy "Dottie" Burgeson

A funeral service for Dorothy "Dottie" Burgeson, age 95 of Spirit Lake, will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church in Milford. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery. A visitation for Dottie will begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Dottie can be given to St. Jude's Children Hospital.

Dottie passed away January 4, 2026.

Dorothy Jane Stroud, the daughter of Roy and Minnie Stroud, was born on June 4, 1930 near Ocheyedan, IA. She attended rural school near Ocheyedan and graduated from Harris High School. She went on to college, graduating with a degree in education from Drake University in 1952 and began her teaching career in Ventura for a year & then at Ocheyedan. She taught typing, bookkeeping & shorthand. Dorothy married Russell Burgeson on January 1, 1953 in Fort Campbell, KY. Russell had been in a serious motorcycle accident so they were married in the hospital chapel. Russ remained in the hospital for several more months as Dorothy returned to teaching in Ocheyedan. In 1956 they moved outside of Round Lake, MN to farm. There they were blessed with the births of their 3 children, Gayla, Bill & Ryan. During that time they loved getting together with neighbors and friends to play cards or square dance. In 1963 they moved into a new house in Lake Park, IA. Dorothy by that time was teaching in Harris. She taught Jr. High English, typing & Home Economics. In 1965, they moved to a farm south of Harris and Dorothy’s parents moved into the house in Lake Park. During that time she went back to teaching in Ocheyedan half days. She continued to teach until 1974.

After retiring from farming, Dorothy and Russell bought an RV and started traveling. In 2000, they decided to sell their acreage and become full-time RVers. They spent their winters in McAllen, TX and camped at Cenla campground in Spirit Lake, IA for the summers. When in Iowa Dorothy & Russ enjoyed volunteering at Thee Garage Sale in Milford, golfing, and attending church. They travelled all over the US and spent many fun times with friends in Texas. In 2011 they stopped going to Texas and settled down at Courtyard Estates in Spirit Lake, IA. They were members of Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church in Milford, IA.

Dorothy moved into Keelson Harbor in 2016 and enjoyed the staff and the friends made there.

Dorothy loved sewing, needlework, playing the piano, reading and golfing. She always enjoyed watching her children & later her grandchildren’s activities and sports. At the age of 42, she learned to play golf. She spent much time in golf league & playing in tournaments. She even won the Women’s Lake Park Golf Tournament one year, as well as several tournaments in Twin Palms, Texas. She especially enjoyed the years of traveling, meeting people and playing cards.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Minnie Stroud, her husband, Russell, and her grandson, Wesley Burgeson. She is survived by her children: Gayla (Tim) Pleggenkuhle, William “Bill” Burgeson, Ryan (Cheryl) Burgeson; grandchildren Jason (Lindsay) Pleggenkuhle, Kyle Pleggenkuhle, Caitlyn (Jason) Elvis, Kristen Burgeson and Faith(Josh) McDaniel; great-grandchildren Jackson and Liam Pleggenkuhle, Addie and Macie Elvis, and Bethany and Waylon McDaniel.