Dorothy Myrtle Hestbeck-Zitt

Dorothy Hestbeck-Zitt of Rush City passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday (12/18/15) at the age of 88. Dorothy grew up in the Stacy, MN area. At age 14 she went to live with her “crippled Grandma” who she lovingly took care of for many years. She married Donald Hestbeck in 1950. They lived in Terre Haute, Indiana for several years where Don was an army recruiter. When they returned to Minnesota, they spent about 4 years farming near Isanti. In 1957, they bought a farm near Rush City. It is here that Don and Dorothy raised their children: Marcy, Ron, Judy and Peggy. Don passed away in 1979 and about 3 years later Dorothy married Albert Zitt and they were great companions. Following Al’s death, Dorothy lived alone on the farm until August, 2015, when she moved to Ecumen in North Branch. Dorothy loved children and did day care for a number of years delighting the young ones with her homemade macaroni and cheese and cookies. Throughout her life, Dorothy always enjoyed gardening, especially flower gardening. The many flower beds around her house were spectacular with color all summer. She planted the love of gardening in all four of her children. Dorothy was also know for her delicious apple pies which she generously shared with friends and family. She would always make a special pie for her Pastor O’Shea. Dorothy was active in the VFW auxiliary, cooking for huge crowds at the VFW. As a member of the Brickyard Club homemakers group, she spent over 50 years enjoying their various activities. She was also a 4-H leader and a member of the First Lutheran Church of Rush City. Dorothy will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and great-grand mother who was kind, generous and who loved to have fun. She enjoyed visiting and laughing with friends. While she was full of spunk, she also truly cared about everyone around her and had a deep faith in God. Dorothy is survived by her children: Marcy Stoeckel of Isanti, Ron Hestbeck and his wife Mary Pat of Rush City, Judy Kramer of Watkins; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; son-in-law Joel Koecher of Stacy, many other friends and relatives. She is preceded in death by husbands Donald Hestbeck and Albert Zitt, daughter Peggy Koecher, parents Hans & Myrtle Sorenson, siblings: George, Fred, Charlie, Herb, Edward, Florence, and Ethel; sons-in-law Neil Stoeckel and Dennis Kramer. Reverend Laurie O’Shea will officiate funeral services for Dorothy; 10:00 AM Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rush City. A time of visitation and reviewal is planned for Monday from 5-7 PM at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. The interment will take place Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Funeral arrangements for Dorthy Hestbeck-Zitt are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City~Olson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com