Dolores "Dee" Spitzack Rysdahl passed away on Monday, October 7th, 2024, at the age of 95. Dee was born on April 18, 1929, to Albert and Ruby (Jones) Spitzack in Faribault, MN. Dee met her husband, Alton, during their first week in college at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. The two married in August 1950 and together raised seven children.

Dee was a woman of many interests and careers. Dee returned to college in the late 1960's to complete her degree in art at Southwest Minnesota State University. She earned a BA in 1971 as a member of the charter class of SMSU. She continued her association with SMSU after graduation as a board member and President of the SMSU Foundation. Dee's interest in art and interior design led her to start her own interior design studio, Décor Designs, in 1972 in Madison, with another location added later in Marshall.

While continuing as a partner in Décor Designs, Dee again returned to school, this time to earn a Master's Degree in Psychology from South Dakota State University in 1989. Dee became a licensed psychologist in Minnesota and began her next career. She served as the area director for the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council (1985-1987), and as a counselor at SMSU (1989), Psychological Resources (1989-1990) and Western Human Development Center (1990-1995) in Marshall.

Following their retirements, Al and Dee became snowbirds, spending their winters in Sun Lakes, AZ. Dee continued to be very active in local organizations, including Questers, an organization devoted to historical preservation. Dee served as President of the Arizona Chapter of Questers and was instrumental in organizing and hosting the national Questers annual meeting in AZ. She also continued her lifelong love of learning by teaching and attending numerous classes at New Adventures in Learning for Seniors, teaching English in China and participating in a creative writing group.

Throughout her life, Dee was actively involved in her Lutheran church, serving at various times as a district officer, deacon, Sunday School teacher, and Ladies Aid president.

Dee is survived by her seven children: Renee (Larry) Stevens (Santa Fe, NM), Dennis (Jolita) Rysdahl (Tofte, MN), Elly (Dale) Muellerleile (Mt. Vernon, WA), Diane (Ron) Halgerson (Marshall, MN), Paul (Jill) Rysdahl (Marshall, MN), Joyce (Dave) Anastasi (Lindstrom, MN), and Wayne (Lynne) Rysdahl (Arvada, CO); 13 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Al, and her granddaughter, Beret.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 16th, 2024, at Clarkfield Lutheran Church at 10 AM, followed by the funeral service at 11 AM. Interment to follow in the church cemetery. Memorials preferred to Beret's Light, 105 George St., Marshall, MN 56258.

Beret's Light
105 George St., Marshall MN 56258