Dorothy Elaine Byklum of Thief River Falls, MN, formerly of Grygla, passed away at age 97 on January 29, 2024, at Greenleaf Memory Care Unit.

A celebration of Dorothy's life will be held on Monday, March 4, 11:00 a.m. at Johnson Funeral Service, 420 N. Labree Ave, Thief River Falls, MN. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Dorothy Elaine Eberhardt was born January 23, 1927, at Grygla, MN, the daughter of the late Emil and Eleanor (Seeger) Eberhardt. She was raised and attended a country school near Grygla and attended High School at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, graduating in 1944. Dorothy then attended Bemidji State College receiving a teaching certificate in 1946. She returned to Grygla and became a teacher at Moose River Township Country School in Marshall County from 1946 to 1948.

On August 30, 1947, Dorothy was united in marriage to Harry T. Byklum at Grygla, MN.  Together they farmed in Hamre Township and welcomed five children (Brad, Marilyn, Dennis, Daryl, and Beverly) to their family.  Dorothy was a wife, homemaker, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.  It was not uncommon to see Dorothy out helping with the cattle or driving tractor in the field.  She also worked for Land O' Lakes Turkey Plant for 10 years.  Dorothy continued to live on the farm until age 94 when she moved to Valley Home and then to Greenleaf Memory Unit.  The family is grateful for the wonderful care she received there as well as the assistance provided by the Red River Valley Hospice team.

Dorothy's family was her pride and joy.   She looked forward to time together with her children and grandchildren and was always interested in what was happening in their lives.   She created scrapbooks and picture albums over the years to capture memories and as she aged, she appreciated the albums her family made for her to enjoy.  Dorothy loved gardening and preserving the fruits of her labor.   She was an excellent cook and well known for her amazing homemade buns.

Dorothy was a longtime, active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in rural Grygla, serving as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher and Luther League secretary.   She served as Our Savior's Church secretary for 23 years and participated in Family Fellowship, Evangelical Lutheran Church Women (ELCW), and the Esther Circle.

Dorothy is survived by her children: Bradley (Kay) Byklum of Glyndon, MN, Marilyn (Lee) Riegler of Rochester, MN, Dennis (Linda) Byklum of Grygla, MN, Daryl Byklum of Rochester, MN and Beverly (Jay) Martinson of Barnes, WI;  Grandchildren: Shonda Byklum of Kenyon, MN, Tiffany (Chad) Fossen of Hawley, MN, Keith (Cindy) Byklum of Hawley, MN, Michael (Meghan) Martinson of St. Louis Park, MN and Sarah (Carsten) Thomas of Madison, WI; Great-grandchildren: Taylor Warner (Evan Williams), McKenzie Warner, Sydney Warner, Riley Byklum, Jordyn (Brady) Petermann, Gage Fossen, Grayson Fossen; and Vivienne Martinson; and Great-great-grandchild: Dylan Williams.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband Harry in 1984, daughter-in-law Pamela Byklum, and step-grandchildren Douglas and Jamie Harmer.