Dolores Root

Dolores Vernell Robertson, daughter of Leofred and Laura (Steen) Robertson, was born April 20, 1924 in Synnes Township in Stevens County, Minnesota. Dolores grew up near Artichoke Lake in Big Stone County and Swift County . She began attending country schools and graduated from Appleton High School in 1942. While attending school, she worked in the dime store in Appleton . Following her schooling, she worked for J.C. Penney in Ortonville and later moved to Morris, where she worked at Gross’s Department Store. In 1943, Dolores moved to Washington , DC , where she accepted a job with the FBI. Her job was to file information on soldiers fighting in the war. After two years, she returned to Morris, where she met her future husband, Jim Root at a dance. They were married on November 19, 1945 in Jacksonville , FL , where Jim was stationed in the Navy. In 1946, Dolores and Jim moved back to Stevens County , where they began raising their family and farmed for the next 18 years. In 1970, they moved their family to Donnelly, where Jim was the postmaster and Dolores went back to work for a time in Morris for J.C. Penney. She later began working at the Donnelly Supermarket. Jim and Dolores celebrated 60 years of marriage in November 2005. Jim died on December 14, 2005 and Dolores continued to live in Donnelly until the time of her death.

Dolores was an active member of St. Theresia’s in Donnelly until its closure. She then joined the Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. She enjoyed quilting, embroidering, gardening, working in the yard, cooking and baking. When Jim was alive they loved to go dancing. Dolores especially enjoyed having her family at home and spending time with them and friends.

Dolores died on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud , Minnesota , having lived to reach the age of 86 years.

She is survived by four sons: Dennis (Robin) Root of Pine City, Terry (Martha) Root of Cody, WY, James (Beverly) Root of Spooner, WI and Timothy (Debra) Root of Donnelly; two daughters: Sheryl (Charles) Hanson of Loveland, CO and Angela (Darrell) McConaghy of Madison, SD; 19 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Genevieve Swenson of Starbuck and Eldora (Leonard) Eich of Morris; two sisters-in-law: Donna (Don) Bahr of Morris and Dorothy Slough of Lady Smith, WI. She was preceded in death by her husband; infant son: Randall and one sister: Lolly Robertson.

Pallbearers for the service are Dolores’s grandsons: Jon Hanson, James Hanson, Dennis Root Jr, Robert Root, Matthew Root, Jonathon Root, James Root, Justin Ellson, Edward Ellson, Landon McConaghy and Troy Schmidt. Honorary pallbearers are Dolores’s granddaughters: Karen Villarreal, Angela Wood, Sara Long, Jessica Root, Heidi Root, Kristin Root, Melissa Ellson and Laura McConaghy. Darlene Hennen will serve as pianist for the service with Holly Giese serving as soloist/song leader. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.