Dorothy, Michelson, 86 Little Falls, MN formerly of Martin, ND died Monday, December 30, 2013 at a Little Falls nursing home.

Funeral services will be held at the United Methodist Church of Harvey on Saturday January 4, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.

Visitation will be held at the Hertz Funeral Home, Harvey on Friday from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm.

Burial will be held at the Velva City Cemetery, Velva, North Dakota.

Dorothy Hatlestad was born in Toronto SD on October 17, 1927 to Elmer & Bertha Hatlestad. She was raised in the Velva, ND area, graduating in 1945 from Velva High School. In June 1946, she graduated from Minot Business Institute. After graduation, Dorothy was employed by Verendrye Electric in Velva where she worked until she married Arthur Michelson on September 18, 1949. They settled into married life on Art's farm west of Martin, ND. There they became a team who raised three children (Eugene, Myron & Renee) while also raising cattle, chickens, & bountiful crops of grain.

Dorothy was an energetic, organized & social person who was on Martin's election board, collected farm census information & poured endless talents into her church. At the Martin United Methodist Church, she taught Sunday School & Bible School, led the youth group, performed special music, was Sunday School superintendent & participated in United Methodist Women, Cemetery Committee, Administrative Board & more. Dorothy's brilliant mind & boundless energies hungered for a greater challenge so in 1970, she joined the US Bureau of Reclamation team at their Harvey office. She proudly served as their clerk-typist for 16 years, retiring in 1986. In retirement, Art & Dorothy enjoyed traveling throughout the US & Canada. They loved taking their children & grandchildren on adventures, educating them about geographic sites & the beauty of God's creation. Dorothy took great joy in chronicling travels and family togetherness through photography.
Dorothy loved serving her family, friends, community & God. She had a quick sense of humor & outgoing nature. She loved to make people smile & laugh. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother & sister who will be greatly missed by her family & friends.

Dorothy is preceded in death by Art (her husband of 60 years), her parents, brothers, Howard, Elmo & Carl & infant sister Ada.

She's survived by her children Gene (Dawn) of Mali, Africa, Myron (Barb) of Wahpeton, ND, & Renee (Glen Palmer) of Little Falls, MN, grandchildren Ben (Brenda) Michelson, Josie (Noel) Powell, Gabriel Michelson, Derrick Michelson, Ashley Michelson & Daniel Palmer, great grandchildren Adia, Ember, Davin & Jacey Powell, sisters Betsy Herrel, Ida (Bob) Hollinger & Ruth Belzer, sister-in-law Billie Hatlestad, many nieces & nephews.