Dolores Danielson

Dolores Elaine Danielson was born to Esther (Mattson) and Joseph Christianson at the Roseau Hospital on July 1, 1931. She grew up on the family farm near Badger, she attended the Badger Public School where she graduated in 1949. While in high school, she was also active in church and 4H activities.

She attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where she graduated in 1953 with a BA degree in Home Economics, Biology and Education. After graduation, she taught home economics at the Park Rapids Public Schools. While there, she learned of several openings in the Minnesota Agricultural Extension Service. Thus, she and several friends headed to West Central, MN.

Swift County had an opening, and she worked with the 4H clubs out of Benson. This county had an active extension program including a rural youth club. They enjoyed many activities: Softball, square dancing, roller skating, bowling, etc. It was at the bowling alley where she met this interesting fellow, Raynold Danielson.

They dated, enjoying many of the rural youth activities. Dolores and Ray were married at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Badger. On July 15, 1956, and came back to Starbuck to join in the farming operation. She worked in Benson for a while, and they bought the family farm and became full time farmers raising hogs and operating a dairy.

Together, they raised two children, Corinne and Eric. First and foremost, Dolores was a homemaker, a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother. She enjoyed her family and their activities.

She was active in East Zion Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, VBS, and was busy in the women’s groups. She enjoyed people and volunteered with other groups in Starbuck. Among them were the Minnewaska Hospital Auxiliary, the Lutheran Home Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Bits and Pieces Quilt Groups and locally, the Middleway 4H Club.

With their farming operations, they were able to fit in some golf, downhill skiing, bowling and fishing. Canada and Jan Lake was a favorite. Special travel trips were a road trip to California to visit her dad’s sister. This was in 1936; Dolores was 5 years old and remembers the trip. Another fun family trip was a camping trip on the Alcan Highway to Anchorage, Alaska. They were two station wagons, eleven travelers and camping gear. They were there to wish dad’s sister and husband a “Happy 50th” Anniversary. Being blessed with a great retirement, Dolores and Ray traveled to many places, fished in Canada, and wintered in Harling, Texas.

Dolores died late on Saturday night, December 7, 2025, at Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris.

She is survived by her children, Corinne (Kevin) Dahl, of Willmar, MN, and Eric (Mary) Danielson, of Starbuck; foster daughter, Donna (Ron) Robinson, of Glenwood; one sister, Sonia Foster, or Roseau; brother, Jim (Carol) Christianson, of Warroad; sister-in-law, Paulette Christianson, of Badger; six grandchildren: Erika (Mathias) Burggraff, of St. Joe, Shana (Colin) Marcuson, of St. Cloud, Danielle (Johnathan) Mikkelson, of Willmar, Alyssa (Tim) Greve, of Bloomington. Brady (Grace) Danielson, of St. Joseph, and Cory (Kelsey) of Hancock; eleven great-grandchildren: Quinn, Lainey, Miles, Mikko, Ella, Cora, Jasper, Leo, Finley, Wren, and Josie; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her spouse, Raynold Danielson; parents, sister, Joyce Kringlund; brother David “Pete” Christianson, and brothers-in-law, Don Kringlund and George Foster.