Dorothy Julia Greig

Dorothy Julia (Karas) Greig died Saturday, July 6th at Golden Horizons Assisted Living and Memory Care Center in Pine City at the age of 91. She was born on March 25, 1922 to Anton and Julia Karas in the small town of Stirum, North Dakota. At the age of 5 she, her parents, three brothers, and one sister moved southeast of Pine City to the farm originally owned by her mother’s parents, the John Rozums. Dorothy attended District #15, the Lincoln School, until the ninth grade when she was bused to Pine City. She graduated with the PCHS class of 1939. Following high school, Dorothy completed a course in hairstyling at Lee’s Beauty School in St. Paul. During high school and 4-H, Dorothy had met a young man, Donald Greig, who became her lifelong partner. It was war-time and Don had enlisted in the Army National Guard. While in “boot camp” at FT. Bragg, North Carolina, Don sent Dorothy her engagement ring through the mail. He came home on furlough, wedding plans were quickly made, and wedding was held on Monday, July 12, 1943. After only a few days Don was deployed overseas. Dorothy continued to live and work in St. Paul. Sgt. Greig returned home at the end of the war in Oct. 1945. They settled in Wyoming, MN for a short time. Janice was born during this time. Soon Dorothy and Donald moved to the farm of his parents, Major and Reka Greig. Their son James was born while living here. Then in 1950, Dorothy’s parents moved into town, and Dorothy and Don purchased the farm where they remained until their retirement. Their daughter Kathleen was born in 1951 and son Robert in 1954. Dorothy was a busy farmwife. Along with raising their four children, she kept house, milked cows (morning and evening), baked, gardened, and canned foods. Dorothy was an excellent cook and enjoyed baking breads, kolache, bismarcks, doughnuts and pies. Favorite pastimes were old-time dances and playing 500 at card parties. As they neared retirement Dorothy and Don purchased a motor home and boat. They enjoyed many trips to fish in Northern Minnesota and Canada. They also visited family and friends in Wisconsin, North Dakota, California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Utah and other western states. They spent vacations in Texas, Florida, and Alaska as well as a trip to Europe retracing Don’s path during World War II. When Dorothy and Don decided to retire from farming and take life a bit easier they moved across and down the road and built a retirement home on a part of the farm property. Son Robert and wife Michele took over the farming operation. They continued to enjoy weekends at the lake with family and take short trips. In 2009, after Donald passed away, Dorothy decided to sell her home. She moved to Golden Horizons Assisted Living in Pine City. She enjoyed visits from family and friends and always was delighted to hear from or see grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dorothy is survived by daughter Janice (Robert) Erickson, son James (Marietta) Greig, son Robert (Michele) Greig and son-in-law Robert Sanford. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Jason (Kari) Erickson, Jared Erickson (Jodie Peterson), Major Greig (Becky Palmer), Brian (Cynthia) Kirchberg, Julie (Chris) Laxson, Jill Kirchberg (Drew Langston), Jena Greig (Mike Dennis), Ashley Greig and 10 great grandchildren. Also surviving are Dorothy’s sister Irene Hudak, sister-in-law Delores Karas, and several nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Donald, daughter Kathleen Sanford, parents Anton and Julia Karas and brothers Leonard, Tony and Donald Karas. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 11th at the First Presbyterian Church of Pine City with Pastor Rob Spahr officiating. Interment will be in the Birchwood Cemetery of Pine City. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.