Dorothy U. Crouse

Dorothy (Mrs. Donald) Crouse, age 85, Watertown, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family in the Prairie Lakes Hospital at Watertown on Wednesday morning, August 10, 2011. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 15, 2011 at 2PM in the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer at Watertown. The Reverend's Chris Matson and Sam Hatlestad will be officiating. Music will be presented by Mary Wika as pianist with Grandson, Tom Rice as the soloist. He will be singing "One Day at a Time". Dorothy's grandchildren will sing "Children of the Heavenly Father". The Staff of the Prairie Lakes Cardiac Rehabilitation Dept., Dr. Sarah & Staff and everyone who knew her as "Mrs. C" should consider themselves as honorary casketbearers. The active casketbearers will be her grandchildren, Draisey Wilson, Erica (Nick) Kranz, Tom & Eric Rice, Dottie James, Katie (Nick) Anderson and Tim & Mitch Crouse. Burial will be private in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Clark. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2011 from 3-6PM at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer- Chapel at Watertown and after noon on Monday at the Church. Dorothy Irene Ullyot was born on July 25, 1926, the daughter of Bennie and Elizabeth (Draisey) Ullyot in her paternal grandparents home at Garden City, SD. She attended school in Clark graduating as Salutatorian. She had also served as the Senior Class President. After her high school education, she attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy, one of only four women to graduate from the School of Pharmacy in 1948. While in college, she served as the Captain of the Girl's Rifle Team. She was united in marriage to Don Crouse on September 17, 1947 at Aberdeen, SD. While still in high school at Clark, Dorothy decided on her life career working for Wilkins Drug in Clark. Following her college education, she returned to Clark and eventually working for Al Knutson at Knutson Drug in Doland. In addition to Clark and Doland, Dorothy also worked some 50 years as a pharmacist in Kansas City, MO, Dell Rapids, Willow Lake, Watertown and Bryant. She and her husband owned and operated the Crouse Drug & Jewelry in Willow Lake from 1952-1962. She served as the School Board President for a term in Willow Lake. In 1962 they moved to Watertown and in 1963 moved to their current home on Lake Kampeska. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer. Some of her fondest moments were spent reading, gardening, bird watching, trivia - especially watching Jeopardy, and hunting in earlier years. Dorothy also enjoyed being known as "Mrs. C" in the Crouse Clown troupe. She was known to many as "Dusty". Second to none though was her delight in her grandchildren and great-granddaughter, attending many of their activities, something she and Don had been doing years before with their own children. Grateful for having shared in her life is her husband of nearly 64 years, Don of Watertown, children, Denni (Rick) Wilson of Fergus Falls, MN, Donlynn (Patrick) Rice of Lincoln, NE, Demarie (Terry) James of Aberdeen and Daniel "Buck" (Belinda) Crouse of Watertown, 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Her sibling, Elizabeth (Hank) Gladney of Beavercreek, Ohio and several nieces and nephews also survive her. Preceding her in death were be her parents, a sister Frances (John) Foley and a brother Wendell (Pearl) Ullyot. Dorothy had a special love for children and was always concerned about their well-being. With that in mind the family has requested memorials be directed to the "Drive by Luncheon Program" c/o Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, or to the Salvation Army, or other food pantry of your choice. Funeral arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com